Being Asian American in the Time of COVID
Being Asian American Paciﬁc Islander (AAPI) is an experience that can be hard to deﬁne given the more than 19 origin groups that make up people of Asian descent. Dimensions like gender, class, sexuality, generation, and immigration status also play roles in shaping our experience and how we are perceived and treated.
The U.S. has a long history of anti-Asian rhetoric and racism that includes major exclusionary policies and wars and occupations in and conﬂicts with Korea, Vietnam, Philippines, China, and Japan. During the pandemic, there has been an increase in reports of anti-Asian violence and discrimination with a majority of incidents being reported by women. Many attribute the rise in violence and discrimination to linking the Coronavirus with China and people of Chinese descent. As we work through what can be a painful, paralyzing, and uncertain time, it can be helpful to hold space to reﬂect on what we have experienced, to verbalize the questions we think are important to be asking, and to share our concerns and hopes for the AAPI community.
Let's Get Started!
Living Room Conversations offers a simple, sociable and structured way to practice communicating across differences while building understanding and relationships. Typically, 4-6 people meet in person or by video call for about 90 minutes to listen to and be heard by others on one of our nearly 100 topics. Rather than debating or convincing others, we take turns talking to share, learn, and be curious. No preparation is required, though background links with balanced views are available on some topic pages online. Anyone can host using these italicized instructions. Hosts also participate.
Why We're Here (~10 min)
Share your name, where you live, what drew you here, and if this is your first conversation.
How We'll Engage (~5 min)
These will set the tone of our conversation; participants may volunteer to take turns reading them aloud. (Click here for the full conversation agreements.)
- Be curious and listen to understand.
- Show respect and suspend judgment.
- Note any common ground as well as any differences.
- Be authentic and welcome that from others.
- Be purposeful and to the point.
- Own and guide the conversation.
What We’ll Talk About
Optional: a participant can keep track of time and gently let people know when their time has elapsed.
Getting to Know Each Other (~10 min)
Each participant can take 1-2 minutes to answer one of these questions:
- What are your hopes and concerns for your family, community and/or the country?
- What would your best friend say about who you are?
- What sense of purpose / mission / duty guides you in your life?
Take ~2 minutes each to answer a question below without interruption or crosstalk. After everyone has answered, the group may take a few minutes for clarifying or follow up questions/responses. Continue exploring additional questions as time allows..
- What does being Asian mean to you? What about being American? How do those two identities relate to each other? What is the impact of having your ethnicity lumped into a monolith like Asian American?
- How has Anti-Asian sentiment surfaced in your personal experience over the years? How has it changed over the years?
- When thinking about the rise in reports of Anti-Asian violence and discrimination, what feelings or thoughts come up for you? Is there anything that has surprised you about your reaction or the reactions of those around you?
- What would help you to feel more empowered? What would you like to see non-Asian allies do to help you feel more empowered and supported right now?
- What are your hopes and concerns for the AAPI community moving forward? What do you wish people outside that community understood?
Reflecting on the Conversation (~15 min)
Take 2 minutes to answer one of the following questions:
- What was most meaningful / valuable to you in this Living Room Conversation?
- What learning, new understanding or common ground was found on the topic?
- How has this conversation changed your perception of anyone in this group?
- Is there a next step you would like to take based upon the conversation?