As we commemorate Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, it’s important to reflect not only on the rich cultural tapestry and contributions of the AAPI community but also on the profound solidarity shared with our Black American counterparts. In a time where unity is paramount, the alliance between Asian Americans and Black Americans stands as a beacon of hope, resilience, and progress.
Throughout California’s history, both communities have faced systemic oppression, discrimination, and marginalization. Despite this systematic adversity, solidarity between these diverse communities has blossomed, fostering mutual support and understanding.
In recent years, this solidarity persisted, with Asian American and Black American communities standing shoulder to shoulder in the fight against systemic racism and inequality. From mobilizing against police brutality to advocating for equitable policies and representation, both groups have amplified each other’s voices, recognizing that the struggle for justice knows no bounds.
California issued over $200 million supporting Anti-Hate crime education and programming, and in 2-2023, our partners at the AAPI Equity Alliance selected Bridge Builders Foundation as a grant recipient. Bridge Builders’ mission is to prepare our youth to become citizens of California, one of the most diverse states in our Union. We believe a part of that preparation means understanding the insidious ways that racism works to undermine equity and prosperity for all. It also means building the skills they need as young leaders can navigate, mediate, prevent, circumvent, interrupt, and eliminate the racism and microaggressions they encounter as they progress through their academic careers. Key to demonstrating those skills is going beyond tolerance to embracing our differences as what makes us stronger.
The cultural exchange and collaboration between Asian Americans and Black Americans exemplify that strength. Black music and art has influenced Asian American culture and vice versa. In addition to the solidarity shown during times of crisis, these interactions have fostered a shared vision for a more just and equitable society. One poignant example of this solidarity is the critical support of Japanese Americans for Black Californians’ advocacy for reparations from the state.
The Japanese American community’s reparations advocacy is a powerful testament to the interconnected struggles against injustice. Following the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, Black American politicians and civil rights leaders were integral to the movement for recognition, restitution, and redress. Their collective triumph in securing reparations from the U.S. government in 1988 through the Civil Liberties Act was a victory for Japanese Americans and a rallying cry for solidarity across racial lines.
Thirty-five years later, those same Japanese Americans advocates are demanding redress for Black Americans with enslaved ancestors. As reported by the Associated Press in December of 2022, “the National Nikkei Reparations Coalition, alongside more than 70 other Japanese American and Asian American organizations, submitted a letter calling on the Biden administration to establish a presidential commission.”
Yet, while celebrating the solidarity between Asian American and Black American communities, it’s essential to acknowledge the work that remains. Both groups continue to face entrenched systemic inequalities, from disparities in healthcare and education to the enduring legacy of anti-Asian and anti-Black racism. To truly honor the spirit of solidarity, we must commit ourselves to dismantling these systems of oppression and building a future where all communities can thrive.
As we navigate the complexities of our shared history and collective struggle, let us draw inspiration from the solidarity between Asian Americans and Black Americans. Let us continue to amplify each other’s voices, uplift each other’s stories, and stand together in the pursuit of justice, equality, and liberation. In doing so, we honor the legacy of those who came before us and pave the way for a brighter and more inclusive future for generations to come.
-by O. Jamecca Marshall, Deputy Executive Director, Bridge Builders Foundation
