As Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders across the country grapple with the Atlanta shooting and continued attacks, organizers in Idaho are moving quickly to provide resources to young community members, including student — some of whom are far from home, especially international students.
“Tangible needs are real material needs within our communities so that young AAPI folks can take care of themselves,” said local organizer Dalton Dagondon Tiegs.
This mutual aid is only one tool of many that Tiegs hopes can bring marginalized groups together.
“It's very easy to set us aside,” they said, “but I think if we were in solidarity movements with other folks in the immigration movement and also in the Black Lives Matter movement, we can form a larger voice.”
Tiegs says a first step is looking inward.
“One of the first things that our Asian community members can do is challenge the anti-blackness within our community,” they said.
Tiegs and other organizers are working on creating a support network to increase mutual aid efforts and language resources.
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