A Message From AIISF’s Executive Director

My heart has been heavy these past few weeks. As an Asian immigrant growing up in Texas in the 70s and 80s, I and my family often encountered xenophobia and racism. Like many other immigrants across the decades, we endured these experiences with the hopes that future generations would not suffer the same treatment. Unfortunately, over the past year, we’ve all witnessed significantly increased reports of anti-Asian hate, including the shootings in Atlanta and other violent attacks on Asian elders and women. The concern, fear, anger, and other emotions that many of us are probably experiencing are not that different from what other immigrant groups and other racial/ethnic groups have felt in response to their own continued experiences of xenophobia and racism.

In the coming weeks and months, please continue to be careful. At the end of this newsletter, we’ve compiled a brief list of resources on how to respond to or report anti-Asian hate.

It’s in times like these that it is even more important for us to remember and learn from history as well as to continue to build allyship. AIISF is proud to collaborate with the National Japanese American Historical Society and with Jezuba for this month’s virtual programs.

Inspired by former AIISF Board Member Dr. Erika Lee’s testimony last month on the “Discrimination and Violence Against Asian Americans” before the Subcommittee on Civil and Constitutional Rights Committee on the Judiciary, AIISF developed this brief pictorial timeline. We hope that it is a helpful resource as you continue to engage in conversations with your family and friends about what Asian communities have experienced in the US.

Finally, although more and more people are continuing to get vaccinated, AIISF is continuing to prioritize our community’s health and safety. We have decided that we will not be hosting an in-person gala in 2021, and we want to thank Hyatt San Francisco for its flexibility. In lieu of hosting a virtual gala similar to last year’s August event, we will be hosting three different virtual fundraisers:

1. Sushi and Sake: an in-your-home VIP dining event curated by Jackson Yu of Michelin-starred Omakase

2. Dumplings and Drinks: an in-your-home VIP dining event featuring the award-winning cuisine from Dumpling Time

3. Virtual Grand Opening of the new Angel Island Immigration Museum

Stay tuned for additional details in how you can participate in these fun events and support AIISF. Wishing you all a healthy and safe month!

Ed
Executive Director, AIISF

CyArk 3D Immigration Station Tour

In partnership with Angel Island State Park, AIISF, and with the generous support of Iron Mountain, CyArk produced a web-based education experience utilizing the 3D documentation of the immigration station now freely available to the public. Visitors are able to observe details of select poetry and inscriptions on the walls and gain new insight into the complexities of American immigration history.

Upcoming Events

Japanese Inscriptions and Poetry from Angel Island
a book talk and Q&A with Professor Charles Egan

For the past twenty years, Professor Egan has researched the poetry and inscriptions left behind on Angel Island.

Sat. April 10, 11 a.m. to 12 noon (PT) via Zoom
FREE EVENT, REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Register Here

Learning From Our History
a discussion with AIISF Executive Director Edward Tepporn

In response to recent anti-Asian American violence, Edward Tepporn will discuss current events from a historical perspective to illustrate what lessons can be learned from our past.

Sat. April 17, at 10:30 a.m. (PT) via Zoom
FREE EVENT, REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Register Here

Remembering Our Grandfathers’ Exile: The Imprisonment of Hawai'i’s Japanese in WWII
an illustrated talk and a live Q&A with Gail Okawa

Inspired by her grandfather Reverend Tamasaku Watanabe’s arrest and internment, Professor Okawa embarked on an 18-year journey to research the story of the over 600 Japanese internees from Hawai`i sent to the U.S. continent.

Sat. April 17, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. (PT) via Zoom
FREE EVENT, REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Register Here

Take our survey for a chance to win a $50 gift card!

As we prepare to open the new Angel Island Immigration Museum later this year, AIISF is in the middle of an important time for reflection and strategizing.

For the past 40 years, we have been focused on saving and preserving the buildings at the former US Immigration Station on Angel Island. While these efforts will continue, we also recognize that it is important for any nonprofit organization to regularly explore how to remain impactful and relevant in changing times.

What do you think AIISF has done well? How can we improve? What would like to see us accomplish in the next 5 years? These are just some of the questions that AIISF's Board and Staff would like to hear your answers to.

Please take a moment to share your important perspectives and suggestions to help inform how we might expand, focus, and/or shift our work in the coming years. Visit this link to take a brief online survey. Everyone who fully completes the survey will be entered into a drawing for a $50 Barnes and Noble Gift Card.

Resources for Asian Americans

There has been a significant increase in anti-Asian attacks over the past year. These types of incidents are not new and have been endured by multiple generations. Together, we can stop it. Below are links to resources that will help us build a safer future for ourselves and our communities.

Stop AAPI Hate
Report hate incidents through their online form.

NAAPIMHA
Mental health trainings and resources for families.

Asian American Advancing Justice
Bystander intervention virtual trainings.

Chinese for Affirmative Action
Discover what actions are being taken to fight racial and social injustice.