AAPI Heritage Month Discussion

[vothnthorvaldson]

But why not use these opportunities (like this month) to be more inclusive?
It would be very interesting to compare the differences and similarities between Asian American authors, Asian authors and authors of Asian orgins living somewhere else.
It's a great opportunity to learn about each others in the context of a common heritage.

[IndigoShirtProd]

Yea they should. I don't know why they labeled the promotion as is. It doesn't make sense for their creator or user base. I highly doubt they want to exclude Asian people who live outside of America, but the name of the month is the name of the month. They didn't come up with the heritage month, they pulled it from somewhere.

[KhanSpring]

I am not hoping that a company would do that for me. It is something that we could do, as people, after all this company is run by people.
And yes, you are right, companies do put profit first, however, do they also not miss profit by staying in the bubble of being USA centred?

[vothnthorvaldson]

Yes, I understand. But they could have adapted it to their business.

[IndigoShirtProd]

Yes I agree. It shouldn't just be labeled Asian American Pacific Islanders Heritage month rather Asian And Pacific Islanders heritage month would solve the problem.

[IndigoShirtProd]

If it was only run by people then yes, but there are more factors at play when it comes to things like this.

[TAMAnnoying]

So what your saying is we should rename the thread for them since were supposed to have the permissions to do such things?

[IndigoShirtProd]

If you think you can get away with it I'm not going to stop you. I just think they should change the name so that Asians from outside the US don't feel as though they're not welcome.

[joannekwan]

I would like to think this is in specific response to the anti-Asian sentiments, hate, and attacks on Asian elders that's been happening recently in the U.S.
Asian Americans have been historically shunted by the U.S government and media for decades from the Chinese Exclusion Acts that barred immigration to Japanese internment camps during WW2 to the emasculation of Asian men in Hollywood among other usual racist fare. And with covid, anti-Asian sentiments specifically has come to a boiling point.

I'm aware that anti-Asian hate has risen in countries like the UK as well, but I can't speak specifically on it since I don't personally know any Asian Brits.

[rajillustration]

If someone says they are a ___ American, that is a very important distinction being made and you need to respect that. When you come here, you basically get cut off from your country of origin. You are a pioneer in your own right, and have a very unique life experience that is different from an Asian living in China, India, Europe, or the Philippians. This isn't about them. This is about what's going on in the States.

[vothnthorvaldson]

I don't think someone is denying that. And I think most US people here and at least some non US people understand the US context right now.

[rajillustration]

But demanding that all Asian people be part of the same context is the issue here. Asian Americans are going through something totally different. This about them.

[vothnthorvaldson]

But as was already discussed it is very unrealistic to make special events for everyone.
So it is either find a more global approach to culture and heritage (and I am certain there would be a way to do that while still talking about more local, US relevent issues), or restrict events only to US interests. Which is what Tapas is going for, but one has to expect an international public to not be too enthralled..

[TAMAnnoying]

This is pretty much my issue with all amarican “issues” their are Asians suffering and dealing with discrimination across the globe. Free Hong Kong was a huge thing for the rest of the world, but not amarica. In fact many companies tried to ignore it.

Meanwhile the moment anything happens in amarica we have to signal it to the entire world and make ourselves look good for doing so.

It never actually feels like they actually care about these people and always feels more like a “me me me me” experience or worse, simple virtue signaling for clicks.

[joannekwan]

I saw lots of people I know in my social circles support Hong Kong and on social media too. But since it happened during the last presidency, I'm sure Trump, along with many corporations, wanted to stay on China's good side by not addressing it.

[rajillustration]

Straight up your memory must be bad because everyone was talking about Free Hong Kong.

We could do nothing, that's a thing we could do. But if they want to do a tiny bit of charity--we shouldn't get on their ass for that--otherwise you'll just get nothing. Why not let a good thing happen, especially following some very terrifying mass shootings?

I'm not saying virtue signaling isn't real--but part of the problem is people don't think racism is real. So taking it down would only further the belief that the racism shouldn't be regarded as racism.

[IndigoShirtProd]

@joannekwan @rajillustration
I didn't even consider that as a reason they're doing this, how ignorant of me and thank you for reminding me. I'm fully aware of what's been going on but I was just under the impression than Tapas was promoting AAPI because the month was coming up. I know they did Black history month promotions this year, but I don't recall them doing that last year. And in parallel to what you've both mentioned, when the BLM protests started in May/June of last year, they had their 'Voice s of color' section on the front page, but the same can't be said for the multiple recent and noteworthy attacks on Asian americans within the last month or so, so I didn't even consider it. If that is the goal, propping up Asian american voices in the shadow of the recent attacks (and the general rise in violence against Asian americans in the past year) then I'm fully in support of that. I was just trying to be considerate to other Asian people that may not live in the U.S.

[TAMAnnoying]

Nani? I never said it should be taken down? I just want it to be clear of who can join in. And I don’t think they should Ignore non amarican Asians just because they don’t realize people outside of America suffer?

[starless]

Wait, AAPI month is the USA event; thus it's not about Anti-Asian hate crime victims living in other non-Asian regions?

​I have friends and distant relatives living in Australia and Germany saying that they've been yelled at, pushed and threatened in the streets way more than before pandemic.

AAPI month is mainly celebrated in the USA, yes. Still, if it's about a national event.. well, I can't help but feel a little disappointed. I'm Asian-Asian so I don't belong in either case and not gonna steal their moment anyway. It's just, idk, disappointing.

[KhanSpring]

We are concerned about the well being of Asian Americans, we know about the discrimination they have been through and how they are still villianised, especially since the rise of Covid. No one wants to steal their thunder. Especially when the USA have been presenting themselves as a place where you can come and start fresh, the land of dreams, where everyone is equal and you can be whatever you want, while they criticise the rest of the world, ignoring the things in their society that they could better.
All we asked is why isn't a site that knows of its international audience more inclusive? We don't ask for a whole month.
Or maybe it should be us to take the first step?