Evolving Narratives
While violence toward Asian Americans has always existed in the United States, our community has recently faced racist violence and hate crimes at a much higher rate due to increased Sinophobia, anti-China foreign policy, and xenophobic political rhetoric unleashed during the Covid-19 pandemic. When government officials express fears over China or other Asian countries, Americans immediately turn to a timeworn racial script that questions the loyalty, allegiance, and belonging of 20 million Asian Americans. The result is that whenever China is attacked, so too are Asian Americans as a whole.
The Serica Initiative's Inclusion and Solidarity practice recognizes the inextricable link between Sinophobia and anti-Asian hate and works to educate and cultivate empathy through interactive learning and awareness-raising, original research, discussions with subject matter experts, and outreach and coalition-building with other communities of color. By profiling the personal stories of diasporic, intersectional Asian Americans across the country, Serica helps to combat pernicious stereotypes and develop more nuanced understanding and empathy for the AAPI experience. In the long term, Serica plans to partner with changemakers to influence policymakers, business, and civil society to fight systemic anti-Asian racism and empower all communities of color.
Voices Rising: What's Next for Asian Americans in the Arts?
Hosted by Juju Chang, the Emmy Award-winning anchor of ABC News Nightline, Voices Rising: What’s Next for Asian Americans in the Arts? delves into the pressing issues and opportunities Asian American artists face today.
Featuring in-depth conversations with distinguished panelists; including BD Wong, David Henry Hwang, Rosalind Chao, Jose Antonio Vargas, Qian Julie Wang, and Mira Jacob; and interspersed with performances by Naomi Funaki, Mikiya Ito, and Pooja Reddy; this special comes at a crucial time when anti-Asian hate is on the rise, yet there is also a remarkable celebration of Asian American talent at the national level.
Between Black & White: Asian Americans Speak Out
The conversation about race in America is often between Black and White, leaving Asian Americans out of the dialogue. Exploring Hate, in partnership with The Serica Initiative, present a three-part series about communities building bridges. Confronting racism. Discovering surprising connections. And fighting hate – together. Official selection of the 2024 Seattle Asian American Film Festival and the 2024 Phoenix Film Festival.
Sinophobia and The China Initiative
In November 2018, the U.S. Department of Justice announced the China Initiative, a program designed to combat Chinese espionage. The campaign placed U.S.-based scientists and researchers of ethnic Chinese origin under increased and often unwarranted scrutiny.
In response, The Serica Initiative, with the generous support of our donors and in collaboration with The China Project, produced two short films to raise awareness of these issues. The 20-minute film, Scientists in the crosshairs: How to avoid getting snared in the U.S. crackdown on ‘China Ties,’ offers practical advice for Chinese scientists on how to respond to such discrimination. A 7-minute film, The China Initiative: The Ethnic Targeting of Chinese Scientists and the Subsequent Brain Drain, aims to educate the general public on these developments and their broader context. See also: The United States Sinophobia Tracker.
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What does it mean to belong?
During the pandemic, misinformation about the coronavirus contributed to an alarming spike in racial violence against Asian Americans. The pandemic became an excuse for anti-Asian xenophobia, drawing attention to a painful reality. In this country, Asian Americans — even when born and raised here — often are viewed and treated as perpetual foreigners.
In collaboration with The WNET Group’s Exploring Hate initiative, be/longing: Asian Americans Now profiles Asian American trailblazers from across the country in five stories of belonging and exclusion; resilience and hope; and solidarity in the face of hate.
Past Programs
Mixed Asian Media's Mixed Asian Day
Mixed Asian Media is excited to present the first-ever Mixed Asian Day, a celebration of what it means to be mixed Asian, with a screening of Between Black & White and a talkback featuring Rohan Zhou-Lee of Blasian March, Maryam Chishti of The LUNAR Collective, and Daniel Tam-Claiborne of The Serica Initiative.
Between Black and White: Asian Americans Speak Out Panel Discussion
In collaboration with The WNET Group’s Exploring Hate initiative, The Serica Initiative is hosting a virtual discussion spotlighting the challenges and opportunities Asian Americans face as they build coalitions with other communities, races, and religions.
Seattle Screening and Community Talkback
The conversation about race in America is often between Black and White, with Asian Americans and others left out. Join educators, activists, and civic leaders for a discussion on the challenges and opportunities Asian Americans face as they build coalitions with other communities, races, and religions, find hope in solidarity, and stand together to fight hate.
Jewish-Asian Solidarity in the Face of Rising Hate: Panel Discussion
Join The Serica Initiative as we convene a virtual panel of civic, academic, and faith leaders in the Asian and Jewish communities to explore the historical parallels between Jewish and Asian Americans, and how we can better forge solidarity against hate.
Rising Against Asian Hate: One Day in March
Explore the fight against anti-AAPI hate with excerpts from the new documentary Rising Against Asian Hate: One Day in March and the digital-first series be/longing: Asian Americans Now followed by expert conversation featuring Gina Kim, Qian Julie Wang, Jo-Ann Yoo, and Thomas Yu, moderated by Jenna Flanagan.
The Presence and Absence of Asian America: What Truths Lie Beyond the Headlines
This webinar with Asian American Studies scholar and Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Research Fellow Dr. Janelle Wong and Facing History & Ourselves’ Jasmine Wong covered data on, and responses to anti-Asian American discrimination and violence.
Beyond Shang-Chi: Superheroes, Masculinity, and Asian American Representation
We gather film industry and culture experts to demystify changing notions of gender, superheroes, and AAPI representation in entertainment — in Shang-Chi, Eternals, Squid Game, and beyond.
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“The Silent Minority No More: Raising Awareness of Anti-AAPI Hate” A prelude
Asian Americans have long been the silent minority — lumped as the eternal, anonymous foreigner. The Serica Initiative will profile the personal stories of Asians across America — from recent immigrants to George Takei — and humanize the people and faces of the AAPI community.
Far East Deep South: A Documentary Film Screening and Panel Discussion
The documentary Far East Deep South explores the unknown history of Chinese immigrants that landed in America’s deep south.
Are We Powerful Enough? Empowering Asian Voices in America
How can Asians in America develop more powerful voices — in business, politics, and culture — and on the relationship between China's growing power and the recent surge in anti-AAPI violence?
“Is This Patriot Enough?” A Conversation on Asian Identity and Anti-AAPI Hate
Join pioneering actor and social justice activist George Takei, and Army veteran and elected official Lee Wong for a conversation on Asian identity and anti-AAPI hate.
The China Initiative: The Targeting of Chinese Scientists and the Subsequent Brain Drain
A video screening and panel discussion about the consequences of the U.S. government's China Initiative and its future under the Biden administration.
