Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram @aapiyouthrising, and check out our blog for more!
For Day 4 of United Against Hate Week (UAHW), we share a short story, "Persist Together" is an inspiring poem written by our San Jose Chapter Leader Alexis reminding us that we must all stand united against hate. #unitedwestand
Nov 17

Are we searching for equity or equality? For Day 3 of United Against Hate Week (UAHW), we share AYR youth board Ethan Su’s op-ed about equality vs equity. Standing up to hate means sharing our opinions and engaging in civic discourse. Visit http://www.aapiyouthrising.org for more op-Ed’s, art and more.
Activities are happening in your community all week long. Join a local activation! Visit http://www.unitedagainsthateweek.org for more information about United Against Hate Week, toolkits to get your community engaged, and full listing of events. From poetry slams, to art activism, to in person and virtual events, there’s a lot that you can do.
Check out CAvsHate (www.cavshate.org) for resources supporting all youth communities. Spread the word and help us raise awareness for United Against Hate week within your community and networks.
#UnitedAgainstHate #aapiyouthrising #calcivilrights #unitedwestand
Nov 16

For Day 2 we share art by AYR Chapter Leader Mia Fung. Art is a powerful way for us to stand united against hate. From November 12th-18th, AYR shares our chapter leaders’ art and writing from across the country for United Against Hate Week (UAHW).
Activities are happening in your community all week long. Join a local activation! Visit http://www.unitedagainsthateweek.org for more information about United Against Hate Week, toolkits to get your community engaged, and full listing of events. From poetry slams, to art activism, to in person and virtual events, there’s a lot that you can do.
Check out CAvsHate (www.cavshate.org) for resources supporting all youth communities and http://www.unitedagainsthateweek.org for more information about United Against Hate Week and toolkits to get your community engaged. Spread the word and help us raise awareness for United Against Hate week within your community and networks.
#UnitedAgainstHate #aapiyouthrising #calcivilrights #unitedwestand
Nov 15

“My beloved mother tongue” by anonymous
Today is Day ONE of United Against Hate Week (UAHW). From November 12th-18th, AYR shares our chapter leaders’ art and writing from across the country. Today is also DIWALI! In honor of a day celebrated by over a billion people of multiple faiths, the Festival of Lights reminds us that we can all come together in the face of hate.
For our UAHW art activism week, we share a short story about Hindi and how our immigrant journeys change our relationship with language and our cultural traditions. "The Beloved Mother Tongue" by our of ourAYR Chapter Leaders reminds us that Uniting against hate means respecting our diverse cultural backgrounds.
Since 2017, groups have come together with state and local leaders to stand United Against Hate. Our message is clear – we reject hate of any kind and believe that building a safer and more equitable world starts by working together. Since inception, United Against Hate Week has spread to over 200+ communities including all of LA County, faith-based groups, LGBTQ and human rights organizations and throughout California.
Check out CAvsHate (www.cavshate.org) for resources supporting all youth communities and http://www.unitedagainsthateweek.org for more information about United Against Hate Week and toolkits to get your community engaged. Spread the word and help us raise awareness for United Against Hate week within your community and networks. #unitedagainsthate #aapiyouthrising #calcivilrights #unitedwestand
Nov 14

AYR‘s Jaslene, Mina and Hudson joined The California Commission on the State of Hate’s Community Forum: The State of Hate and Bullying Experienced by California’s Youth.
The stories we heard were powerful. We spoke about the importance of uniting across communities and we shared our AYR story. Some sang, some read poetry. We learned about different religious beliefs and cultural backgrounds. Then we heard from the public.
Thank you to the Commissioners for this incredible gathering and hearing our voices.
The Community Forum included:
• Presentations by high school and college students about the impacts of hate and bullying on California’s youth, including racial, ethnic, and religious minorities, and the LGBTQ+ community.
• Information on resources available to young people experiencing hate and bullying.
• Resources for people targeted for hate, including the California vs. Hate Resource Line and Network. Visit CAvsHate.org to report.
#CAvsHate #unitedwestand #aapiyouthrising
#UnitedAgainstHate
Nov 10

Happy Election Day! Thank you to AYR Chapter Leader Sophanya @sophaanya for making this post!
Nov 7

Join us alongside high school and college students as we speak out against hate. Thank you California Civil Rights Department for inviting all of us to join a conversation at the CA State or Hate’s next community forum. Join us virtually or in person!
AAPI Youth Rising’s Mina, Jaslene and Hudson speak out alongside:
*Islamic Network Group (ING): Saman Ali
*Black Youth Leadership Project (BYLP): Laila Anderson, Sherman Gay, and Tevin Tyler
*La Puente High School Dream Resource Center: Krystal Maldonado and Isaiah Mancia
*Israeli-American Civic Action Network (ICAN): Misha Keyvanfar and Miya Zborovskyx
*INGYouth (Islamic Network Group Youth): Saman Ali, Naiel Ahmed Chaudry, and Minal Jalil
*Los Angeles LGBT Center: Max Figueroa
We will also speak about being honored by the Biden Administration at the bi-partisan “United We Stand Summit” held at the White House a year ago. Stay tuned for our next national initiative for all youth to unite against hate.
Thursday, Nov 9th
Virtually by livestream: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84821291222
Virtually by phone: 1 669 444 9171
Meeting ID: 848 2129 1222
In person: Japanese American National Museum
100 N. Central Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012 Phone: (213) 625-0414
#CivilRights #bullying #bullyingawareness #acttochange #aapiyouthrising #whaanhpi #unitedwestand
Nov 6

Happy Halloween!!! Hope you had fun trick or treating! AYR's Chapter Leader Mia Fung created this AAPI figures post just for you.
– Amy Tan
– I.M. Pei
– Dalip Singh Saund
– artwork and text by Mia Fung
Nov 1

AYR's Mina joined the 9th Annual Silicon Valley Asian Pacific Film Festival for a screening and discussion of Jean Shim's "A Great Divide" where actors Emerson Min and West Mulholland discussed how younger people embody the courage for standing up for what's right.
Emmy Award-winning director Jean Shim makes her directorial feature film debut with 'A Great Divide' – seen through the eyes of a Korean American family that leaves the California Bay Area for small-town Wyoming after experiencing devastating loss, the film addresses the emotional and psychological impact of racism and xenophobia on Asian Americans. But it's also the story about a young man breaking out of his shell and finding love, reconciliation and redemption. #aapiyouthrising #aapi #aapifilm
Oct 23

We’re proud to support California vs Hate and celebrate our state’s vibrant Latino/e/x community during Latino Heritage Month. Together, we can reject hate and uplift all of our communities. Get resources and support at CAvsHate.org. Also, stay tuned for our efforts for United Against Hate Week in November!
#cavshate
Oct 23

Have you or a classmate been a victim to a hate incident in your school? If you are a victim or witness to hate-based bullying and discrimination, you can receive free support by calling 833-8-NO-HATE or visiting CAvsHate.org. #cavshate
Sep 1

Super honored to be covered by Encyclopedia Britannica for the Asian American and Pacific Islander month issue of “BSchool News”!
“BSchool News” is updated weekly with topics about current events and inspiring stories for elementary- and middle-school learners.
https://news.eb.com/level2/teens-leading-the-way-to-change/
#AANHPIHeritageMonth #AANHPIHM #StopAAPIHate #VisibileTogether #AAPIYouthRising"
Jun 7

Happy Pride Month!! As we close out Aapi heritage month there is so much to celebrate including the LGBTQ community and especially queer youth! #lgbt #aapiyouthrising #pridemonth
Jun 1

We have so much to celebrate this month and more to do. Stay tuned for our AANHPI Heritage month wrap up post. But in the meantime – read about the Stop Mental Health Stigma in Our Communities Act introduced by CAPAC Chairwoman Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA) and Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI).
Earlier this month we had the honor of meeting with Senator Hirono to share our youth perspectives. Did you know that suicide is the leading cause of death for 10-24 year old AANHPI youth from 2018-2020? Mental health stigma in our communities is real and we have to do something about it now.
What can you do? Read the bill. Contact your legislators. Check in on a friend. One action, one day, one student at a time.
#MentalHealth
#WHIAANHPI
#AAPIYouthRising
#unitedwestand
#unitedwestandsummit
#dignity.us
Jun 1

On May 18, 2023, we joined Act To Change and nearly 40 cities and states and over 100 partner organizations to raise a unified voice against bullying and hate: Annual National AAPI Day Against Bullying + Hate. Act to Change has been by our side since day one. We first heard about Act to Change back in 2021, at a time when few people were talking about the rise in bullying against AAPI youth. Act to Change's Racism is a Virus gave us a whole new vocabulary to speak out against the bullying we were facing. From the start of our group to now, we continue to learn and grow our voices with Act to Change.
From joining us when we first came together at the AAPI Youth Rising Rally in Berkeley, CA, to mentoring us through the Act to Change Youth Ambassadors program to just teaching us how to own our voices and our identities, Act to Change has impacted our lives and countless other youth across the country. AAPI youth are searching for belonging and Act to Change lets us feel like we belong. Thank you Act to Change for shining a bright light on all of us.
AAPI Youth Rising is honored to join the Annual National AAPI Day Against Bullying as the Allied Partner Organizaiton of the Year. Huge shout out to all the youth leaders who celebrated with us! @aalead @savya.teens @washingtoncyc
🌟Organization @acttochange https://acttochange.org/donate/🌟
Photographer @pootie_ting
Videographer @paulkwakfilms
Venue @eventsatandersonhouse
Catering @spilledmilkcatering
Step & Repeat & Decor @socialsupplydesign
Flowers @_flowerpalette
AV @dangoldmanevents
Quartet @sounimpact
UMD Bhangra @marylandbhangra
Chinese youth lion dance @washingtoncyc
Pastries @roseavebakery
Rentals @dceventrentals
Rentals @tablemannersdc
Planner @sehheechoi @sehevents
#VincentChin #StopBullying #AANHPIHeritageMonth #AANHPIYouth #DayAgainstBullying #ActToChange
May 31

AYR’s Mimi (Oakland, CA Chapter Leader) Saanvi (TX Chapter Leader), Johanna (AZ Chapter Leader) and Mina join Choose Your Own Adventure May Newsletter and the Cassandra Report!
AYR talks about our hopes for AAPI Youth Rising and what it means to be a youth adventurer. Excerpts below. Check out the full interview here: https://www.cyoa.com/pages/adventurers-newsletter-ayr-interview
……..
Why did you join AYR, Mimi?
Mimi: A lot of the time youth are shut out [of serious political conversations] because “we are just kids,” so having this platform to speak out, as well as teach other youth about AAPI history, is such an amazing opportunity.
…..
What is your favorite AYR initiative?
Johanna: So far I've mostly been affiliated with teaching an AAPI history lesson, so that is my favorite because I've seen the direct impact it has had on my community. However, I hope to get more into assisting with the Creative Corner, because so much of what I wish to express and how I wish to act lies within the arts.
…..
What do you hope kids get out of the lesson?
Mina: In the lesson, we unpack those myths mentioned above. We also talk through some important events in AAPI history that are rarely taught, like the Chinese Exclusion Act and the murder of Vincent Chin, which was a turning point for modern day AAPI activists. [Note: an amazing young adult book about Vincent Chin is From a Whisper to a Rallying Cry by Paula Yoo.] We also celebrate modern day AAPI heroes! We hope this lesson gives an introduction to kids about how diverse the Asian American experience is.
…..
Do you focus at all on book banning? It’s such a huge issue right now, isn’t it?
Saanvi: We're always hearing about different districts trying to get rid of books about critical race theory, and it's so important for communities to mobilize to prevent bans because censorship takes away valuable parts of our history that we have every right to know about.
#AAPIYouthRising
#AAPIHeritageMonth
May 27
![AYR’s Mimi (Oakland, CA Chapter Leader) Saanvi (TX Chapter Leader), Johanna (AZ Chapter Leader) and Mina join Choose Your Own Adventure May Newsletter and the Cassandra Report!
AYR talks about our hopes for AAPI Youth Rising and what it means to be a youth adventurer. Excerpts below. Check out the full interview here: https://www.cyoa.com/pages/adventurers-newsletter-ayr-interview
……..
Why did you join AYR, Mimi?
Mimi: A lot of the time youth are shut out [of serious political conversations] because “we are just kids,” so having this platform to speak out, as well as teach other youth about AAPI history, is such an amazing opportunity.
…..
What is your favorite AYR initiative?
Johanna: So far I've mostly been affiliated with teaching an AAPI history lesson, so that is my favorite because I've seen the direct impact it has had on my community. However, I hope to get more into assisting with the Creative Corner, because so much of what I wish to express and how I wish to act lies within the arts.
…..
What do you hope kids get out of the lesson?
Mina: In the lesson, we unpack those myths mentioned above. We also talk through some important events in AAPI history that are rarely taught, like the Chinese Exclusion Act and the murder of Vincent Chin, which was a turning point for modern day AAPI activists. [Note: an amazing young adult book about Vincent Chin is From a Whisper to a Rallying Cry by Paula Yoo.] We also celebrate modern day AAPI heroes! We hope this lesson gives an introduction to kids about how diverse the Asian American experience is.
…..
Do you focus at all on book banning? It’s such a huge issue right now, isn’t it?
Saanvi: We're always hearing about different districts trying to get rid of books about critical race theory, and it's so important for communities to mobilize to prevent bans because censorship takes away valuable parts of our history that we have every right to know about.
#AAPIYouthRising
#AAPIHeritageMonth](https://i0.wp.com/aapiyouthrising.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png?w=750&ssl=1)