Sesame Street touches on the subject of anti-Asian bullying in a way that most of us have experienced. The "Proud of Your Eyes" video includes Wes and Alan from Sesame Street who help their friend Analyn. She is a Filipino-American who was teased because of the slanted shape of her eyes.
According to NBC News, Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization released the video as an ongoing initiative of "The ABCs of Racial Literacy" to "help families have honest conversations about race." The initiative provides an educational curriculum on racial justice for children. In the video, they sang a song about how unique their eyes are and that they tell stories of their family. Analyn goes on to say how her eyes look just like her Lola's and that she's beautiful.
Our eyes and how we look tells a story, our story. The story of who we are, but more importantly the stories of our ancestors.
Cover Photo Credit: Sesame Street Twitter
Due to the increasing hate crimes against Asian Americans, PBS re-released the documentary Asian Americans. It is a five-hour film series that delivers a bold, fresh perspective on a history that matters today, more than ever. Also it takes a look at how Asian Americans have helped shape U.S. history. Stream it on PBS.org
As America becomes more diverse, and more divided while facing unimaginable challenges, how do we move forward together? Told through intimate personal stories, the series will cast a new lens on U.S. history and the ongoing role that Asian Americans have played. - PBS
Cover Photo Credit: PBS.org
The search continues in finding the person who attacked Vilma Kari, a 65-year-old woman in New York. The attack happened last Sunday as the Filipina woman was walking on her way to church. Vilma’s daughter Elizabeth has set up a GoFundMe to for her medical bills as well as other hate crimes victims. The GoFundMe, has exceeded way past the initial $20k goal, currently over $100K.
***Author's edit: The suspect has been identified
The woman was kicked and beaten by the attacker who yelled "F--k you, you don't belong here," according to sources. Keep in mind last Sunday was also Palm Sunday. The beginning of Holy Week which is widely observed in the Filipino culture. It was a time to celebrate the beginning of Easter, but instead the victim was beaten and left without help.
The video footage from a nearby building shows the suspect kicking the victim to the ground then continued to stomp on her head several times. As the victim was down, according to the New York Post, "several men from a nearby residential building witnessed the crime...but did not try to help the woman." Although the Filipina woman has a fractured pelvis, she is in stable condition at NYU Langone Hospital. The violence happening in the Asian American community needs to be addressed and people need to be held accountable for their actions. We have to continue to protect each other especially our elders.
If you'd like to help Vilma Kari, a GoFundMe page was started by her daughter, Elizabeth Kari.
CONTINUE TO AMPLIFY OUR VOICES
With last year being some dark times, we can only help each other reach brighter days. It's up to us to bring the change and treat everyone with kindness. In a recent catch up catch up with Guapdad 4000 at his album launch for 1176, he spoke out on the rising anti-Asian violence and offered encouragement.
"It's up to us to step forward first, to protect each other first before we ask for any other help. But also have hope in other people and humans that they see us coming together."
GUAPDAD 4000 SPEAKS OUT ON RECENT ANTI-ASIAN VIOLENCE
Cover Photo Credit: Rappler Facebook
