The 5-Day Equity Challenge:

Racism & the Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Community

CLICK HERE to sign-up to receive notifications for future Equity Challenges!

What does it take to go from being an ally to a leader in the fight for equity?

United Way of Pierce County invites you to participate in the 5-Day Equity Challenge to become a leader in the fight for equity. You can help end racism, hate and violence and build a community in which people's outcomes in life are not determined by their race/ethnicity or where they live. Through five days of equity challenges, you will gain awareness and understanding of racism, which asserts itself in nearly all aspects of our daily lives.

Debby Irving and Dr. Eddie Moore, Jr. developed the original equity challenge, and the United Way Worldwide Diversity, Equity and Inclusion team curated the content for United Way. United Way of Pierce County has further adapted the challenge for our community with the help of partners. Our original 21-Day Equity Challenge was an interactive digital resource for individuals and groups to deepen their understanding of -- and willingness to confront -- racism. For the 5-Day Racism & the AAPI Community Equity Challenge, we will build on the "Equity Basics" while learning about the history of racism against Asians and Pacific Islanders, the beauty and diversity of the AAPI community, and how to be an ally for our AAPI friends, neighbors and coworkers. The Challenge will inspire you to act, on your own or with others in your organization, business or group, to fight against AAPI hate and violence.

What happens during the Challenge?

During the Challenge, you will receive an email each business day introducing a topic supported by links to articles, video, podcasts, and more that dive deeper into the day's topic. We encourage you to take your time with these resources, reflect on the questions, and sit with what you are learning. We also encourage you to join our Equity Conversation on Zoom at the end of this Challenge, to learn from AAPI community leaders and to discuss what you have read, watched or listened to with others in a supported and moderated environment.

Do I participate in the Challenge alone or with others?

It's your choice. You can certainly do the Challenge on your own by engaging with the material provided each morning during the Challenge. But we are learning that the work of making our community more just and equitable requires a team effort! Below, we have provided resources and tools to support individuals and also for groups to take on the Challenge together. To provide additional opportunities for people to share and reflect on their learnings, United Way of Pierce County staff will also host an Equity Conversation via Zoom at the end of this Challenge.

What if I can't engage in all the daily emails?

It's great if you are able to do a little bit with each email Monday through Friday. However, the links you receive will stay live so that you can come back later on to get caught up and reflect as needed.

How can YOU be antiracist?

Actions speak louder than pledges, hashtags, statements...commit to ACT!
Educate yourself about the history of race relations in this country.
Listen to the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) people around you...if you don't have BIPOC people around you, reevaluate and re-define your circle and find some BIPOC people to listen to.
Evaluate your personal unconscious biases and how they impact those around you to build a more inclusive environment.
Speak up when you see actions or policies and practices that perpetuate inequity.

EQUITY BASICS

Visit the resources below from the original 21-Day Equity Challenge to learn about equity basics:

Definitions & General Concepts

Racism & White Privilege

Defining Stereotypes

Internalized Racism

Addressing Our Internal Biases

Interpersonal Racism

Institutional Racism

Structural Racism

DAILY CHALLENGE TOPICS

Post Challenge - Final Reflection, Next Steps & Taking Action

CLICK HERE to download the 5-Day Equity Challenge Engagement Tracking Tool

For an editable MS Word version of the tracking tool CLICK HERE

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

United Way of Pierce County staff participated in the Challenge over the summer and discovered that while it is designed for independent participation, it is also conducive to group discussions. Here's our Equity Conversations Facilitator's Guide to be used for hosting group discussions within your organization, team or group. You can also join in on United Way of Pierce County's Equity Conversation at the end of this Challenge! Register for Equity Conversation session below!

Racism & the AAPI Community Equity Conversation

Equity Conversations are an opportunity to share thoughts and reflections about what you are learning in a supportive space.

Join local AAPI community leaders and United Way for a panel discussion and equity conversation focused on Racism & the AAPI Community

Friday, June 11th from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Click the button above to view a recording of the Equity Conversation.

SUPPLEMENTAL CONTENT

Reflection Log (PDF version)
Reflection Log (Word version)
Racial Equity Tools - Glossary of Terms
Equity Challenge Facilitator's Guide
UWPC Equity Challenge Glossary of Terms
Feelings Wheel - a tool to help you track your “internal weather” and reactions throughout the Challenge. Feelings can tell us important things about ourselves like what pulls us forward into conversations and work for racial equity as well as what pushes us away. Developing the ability to name feelings can be the work of liberation and one way of stepping out of white dominant professional/cultural norms that minimize emotions in favor of “cool rationality” and intellectualism.

Where to find books during AAPI month or anytime

If you want to dig into a novel or some nonfiction literature, the following book lists can help you find the perfect fit.

New York Public Library selections for AAPI Heritage Month
Must-read books for AAPI month from Penguin Random House.
Best books about Asian American identity from The Strategist.
LA Times reading guide on the Asian American experience.
Nonfiction titles on Asian Americans by the staff at Seattle Public Library.
AAPI books on Goodreads.

Where to see AAPI movies, documentaries, shows, art exhibits and cultural events

If you want to stream documentaries, films or TV programs related to the AAPI experience, here are some ways you can do it at home.

Watch Asian Americans, a five-episode film documentary series by PBS.
Netflix subscribers have access to their Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Stories collection.
HBO Max has launched a new platform for subscribers called See Us to provide a spotlight on AAPI TV and film.
Hulu subscribers have options for viewing shows and movies on Asian heritage and representation.
Wing Luke Museum - As a National Park Service Affiliated Area and the first Smithsonian affiliate in the Pacific Northwest, the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience offers an authentic and unique perspective on the American story. Nationally recognized for our work in creating dynamic, community-driven exhibitions and programs, we put our community at the heart of each exhibition we create.
Asian Pacific Cultural Center - Asia Pacific Cultural Center (APCC) serves as an interactive cultural crossroads between local and international communities.
Video of Indian Classical Fusion Dance
Seattle Asian Art Museum - This 1933 Art Deco building in lush Volunteer Park is SAM’s original home and the location of our extensive Asian art collection, making it one of the most beloved treasures in our creative, cultured, and curious city.
From the Chinese Reconciliation Project Foundation - http://crpftacoma.org/events/
For the Japanese American Citizen's League - https://www.facebook.com/eileenlamphere/

Check out the Jasmine playlist on Spotify to discover music from AAPI artists, experiencing a mix that crosses borders and hear multi-artist collaborations

GET SOCIAL

Download the graphics below to share you are participating on social media! Post with the following hashtags .

#UWPCEquityChallenge

#UnitedforEquity

#FightforEquity