Asian Americans Reflect on Ferguson Unrest

A decade after the shooting death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, the Asian American community is reflecting on its journey toward solidarity with Black Lives Matter and the broader fight against racial injustice. Ellen Lo Hoffman, who felt a profound sense of urgency following Brown's death, emphasized the need for Asian Americans to confront their fears and insecurities in order to stand in solidarity with Black colleagues and communities. This moment catalyzed an internal reckoning among Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders regarding their roles in social justice movements. Gregg Orton, director of the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans, described the summer of 2014 as a pivotal time for the Asian American Pacific community. He noted that many individuals began to interrogate their positions on solidarity, particularly as they witnessed the treatment of Black Lives Matter protesters. In December 2014, Beatrice Chen organized a panel at the Museum of Chinese in America to discuss race and police brutality, providing a platform for open dialogue among community members. The past decade has also seen a resurgence of advocacy, particularly in response to incidents like the 2021 Atlanta spa shootings, which targeted Asian women. Organizations such as AAPI Data have been instrumental in tracking socioeconomic trends and disparities within Asian American communities. Additionally, the U.S. Office of Management and Budget's recent directive to disaggregate data among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders marks a significant step forward in addressing these issues.