This joint statement was included as part of an article " Asian American Grant Makers Call on Philanthropy to End Violence and Bias on the Rise as Coronavirus Spreads" published in The Chronicle of Philanthropy 4/8/2020. Thanks to the Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP).

Dear Colleagues,

While Covid-19 may be novel, the racism accompanying it is far from new. Racial bigotry and “xenophobia” is ravaging Asian American communities in the U.S. alongside the physical impacts of COVID-19. It is reminiscent of attacks against South Asians, Arab and Muslim Americans after 9/11, brewed from anti-Blackness and the all-too familiar racial profiling of Black, Brown, and Native American people just going about their lives. We thank those that stand in support of Chinese and Chinese Americans during this period as we stand in solidarity with others who have and continue to experience racism and bigotry.

Scapegoating of Asian Americans is fueled by fear and racism simmering just below the surface. When it comes from our country’s top leaders, whether direct or implied, it signals an official stamp of acceptance and puts Asian Americans in harm’s way, including children. There are more than 21 million Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) in the U.S., comprising the fastest growing racial group, and they too are impacted, especially health care workers and others providing essential services who are risking their lives to save others. And philanthropy is not immune. Our staff and colleagues are also impacted by a variety of aggressions, externally or even within our own work environment when minimized or ignored.

Through every crisis, philanthropy responds. Some foundations have acknowledged the need to address racism in their COVID-19 response. Asian American community foundations, giving circles, and other mutual aid solutions are stepping up to support the community, both to address COVID-19 as well as the unique harms to Asian Americans. Asian and Asian American philanthropists are also stepping up to be part of the larger COVID-19 solution, including but not limited to, donating personal protection equipment for American health care workers.

All of this is a great start, but much more can be done. The cure to viral racism is within our hands. We call on our colleagues to:

Include language in statements that denounce hate related to COVID-19 (and beyond).
Include efforts that address viral racism as part of rapid response fund guidelines.
Insert equity into outreach efforts and funding decisions to ensure that smaller organizations, especially those in harder hit communities and inclusive of AAPIs are part of that mix.
Reach out to AAPI staff members and colleagues to see how they are doing and offer support.
Speak out when you see racism and prejudice against any individual or community.
Think of this moment as a “reset” button to imagine a more holistic approach to philanthropy that gains new traction toward racial and gender equity.

Let’s think expansively about this country’s future and support a path to finding our full humanity based on trusted relationships. In this pandemic, it is abundantly clear that we are one people with a shared destiny. Let’s close this country’s chapter on the tired and harmful stereotypes along with this novel virus. Our collective health is strengthened by our shared humanity and our best allies are common sense and good will. Through every such crisis and every day in between, solidarity matters.

SIGNATORIES

This letter is signed by the following foundations and philanthropic organizations alongside individuals listed below. Please note that individuals have added their names, with titles and affiliations for identification purposes only and this does NOT constitute institutional endorsement (that is recorded in the institutional section).

While these types of letters are typically signed by the heads of foundations and philanthropic entities, we felt it was important for AAPI voices at all leadership levels in philanthropy to be included, alongside our powerful allies. Some foundation executives and trustees selected to also include their names as individuals alongside their institutional endorsements for additional emphasis and expression of personal solidarity. This includes more than 50 AAPI top level executives and trustees of foundations and philanthropic serving organizations. Many individuals listed have multiple connections and touchpoints in philanthropy, but chose a specific identification for the purpose of this letter.

The people behind these signatures hail from points all across the country, from coast to coast and points in between. They are not simply perfunctory sign-ons. They represent a heartfelt urgency to continue the hard work of moving beyond racial bias during crises like this, to come out more fully whole as a country.

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