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May 25, 2020: More Than 100 Prominent Creatives Call for an End to Anti-Asian Violence amid Pandemic
PEN America and Asian America Writers Workshopreleased a joint statementto call for an end toanti-AAPI attacks amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. More than 100 writers, artists, actors and creative professionals — includingRiz Ahmed, Celeste Ng, Viet Thanh and Min Jin Lee — signed the statement of solidarity, which also announced aMay 27, 2020, online day of action"to condemn hate and celebrate Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander writers."
In 2022, the crusade continues asmore Asian Americans are facing racismand even violence as the pandemic drags on.Here are ways you can supportthe APPI community right now.
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May 26, 1946: Indian Activist Aruna Roy Is Born
Manish Swarup/AP/Shutterstock
One of India’s most celebrated political and social activists, Aruna Roy helped spearhead the formation of theMazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan(MKSS), which played a major role in advocating for theRight to Information Law. The law, passed in 2005, has helped the country’s poorest citizens to fight for their rights and inspired many other activists to unearth corruption and fight for a more just India.
“Many social activists clamor for India to do more for the dispossessed,” Jyoti Thottam wrote of Roy forTIME. “A former civil servant, Roy doesn’t just condemn a broken system; she changes it.”
03of 07May 27, 2006: Deadly Earthquake Hits Yogyakarta, IndonesiaTarko SUDIARNO/AFP via GettyAn earthquake, which measured 6.2 on the Richter scale, hit one of the most densely populated places in the country, killing more than 3,500 people, according toTheGuardian. Roads, buildings and bridges were destroyed as hospitals dealt with an influx of dead or injured citizens at the time the tremor took place.“I couldn’t help my wife … I was trying to rescue my children, one with a broken leg, and then the house collapsed,” then-70-year-old food vendor Subarjo told the outlet at the time.“I couldn’t help my wife,” he added, while sobbing. “I have to accept this as our destiny, as God’s will.”
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May 27, 2006: Deadly Earthquake Hits Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Tarko SUDIARNO/AFP via Getty
An earthquake, which measured 6.2 on the Richter scale, hit one of the most densely populated places in the country, killing more than 3,500 people, according toTheGuardian. Roads, buildings and bridges were destroyed as hospitals dealt with an influx of dead or injured citizens at the time the tremor took place.
“I couldn’t help my wife … I was trying to rescue my children, one with a broken leg, and then the house collapsed,” then-70-year-old food vendor Subarjo told the outlet at the time.
“I couldn’t help my wife,” he added, while sobbing. “I have to accept this as our destiny, as God’s will.”
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May 28, 2008: Nepal Abolishes 239-Year-Old Hindu Monarchy
PRAKASH MATHEMA/AFP via Getty
“This is the people’s victory,” former Maoist guerrilla Kamal Dahal told the outlet at the time. “With today’s declaration of a republic we have achieved what we fought for.”
05of 07May 29, 1981: Actor-Director Justin Chon Is BornFocus FeaturesThe acclaimed film director and actor is best known for taking on films that have strong AAPI leads and center on the AAPI experience.Chon wrote and directedGook, a story about two Korean-American brothers who build an unlikely friendship with a young black girl in L.A. All three of their lives change once the Rodney King verdict is announced and riots ensue.The 2017 film earned Chon the Best of Next award at the Sundance Film Festival and the Someone to Watch award at the Film Independent Spirit Awards.Chon also directed and co-wrote the 2019 dramaMs. Purple, which tells the story of a young Korean-American woman who works as a karaoke hostess in Koreatown to support herself as the caretaker for her dying father. The film landed him wins at the L.A. Asian Pacific Film Festival and the Dallas International Film Festival and a nomination at Sundance.Chon’s most recent project wasBlue Bayou, a story about a Korean adoptee who tries to reckon with his past before unexpectedly facing deportation. The film stars Chon and Oscar winner Alicia Vikander (pictured).
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May 29, 1981: Actor-Director Justin Chon Is Born
Focus Features
The acclaimed film director and actor is best known for taking on films that have strong AAPI leads and center on the AAPI experience.
Chon wrote and directedGook, a story about two Korean-American brothers who build an unlikely friendship with a young black girl in L.A. All three of their lives change once the Rodney King verdict is announced and riots ensue.
The 2017 film earned Chon the Best of Next award at the Sundance Film Festival and the Someone to Watch award at the Film Independent Spirit Awards.
Chon also directed and co-wrote the 2019 dramaMs. Purple, which tells the story of a young Korean-American woman who works as a karaoke hostess in Koreatown to support herself as the caretaker for her dying father. The film landed him wins at the L.A. Asian Pacific Film Festival and the Dallas International Film Festival and a nomination at Sundance.
Chon’s most recent project wasBlue Bayou, a story about a Korean adoptee who tries to reckon with his past before unexpectedly facing deportation. The film stars Chon and Oscar winner Alicia Vikander (pictured).
06of 07May 30, 2019: Narendra Modi Is Sworn in for a Second TermAjay Aggarwal/Hindustan Times via GettyNarendra Modi secured a second term as India’s prime minister once his party won in a landslide in the 2019 election. Thousands, including regional leaders and Bollywood stars, gathered to celebrate.The Prime Minister is the first leader since 1971 to earn a majority vote in back-to-back elections, according toBBC.
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May 30, 2019: Narendra Modi Is Sworn in for a Second Term
Ajay Aggarwal/Hindustan Times via Getty
Narendra Modi secured a second term as India’s prime minister once his party won in a landslide in the 2019 election. Thousands, including regional leaders and Bollywood stars, gathered to celebrate.
The Prime Minister is the first leader since 1971 to earn a majority vote in back-to-back elections, according toBBC.
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May 31, 2019: Always Be My Maybe Is Released on Netflix
Ed Araquel / Netflix
The rom-com, starring Ali Wong and Randall Park, was released to select theaters on May 29 before its larger debut on Netflix.The story followschildhood friends Marcus and Sasha, who reconnect as adults years after their painfully awkward teenage fling.
source: people.com
