April 6, 2020 to April 10, 2020

Nothing has gotten easier, but what’s emerging is that people are creative, resourceful and strong. From taking care of oneself and ensuring that everyone does the same, to caring for our collective whole, we are witnessing practices of solidarity all around.

Philanthropy and government continue to move to provide relief and aid for the masses. In this last week the Paycheck Protection Program was released, and many SBA approved lenders are moving quickly to implement the program so that micro and small businesses can access these forgivable loans. The City of Saint Paul also announced its Bridge Fund, aimed at supporting the city’s most needy families and small businesses. The City of Minneapolis just passed its COVID-19 relief fund that promises to be accessible to all the city’s residents regardless of immigration status. That’s welcomed news.

In communities, many are creating mutual aid to ensure that no one is left out or left behind. CAAL’s Spark Leadership Fund has received an overwhelming number of applications and we’ll continue to seek resources to support it. We will launch our Stronger Together Fund for Asian Minnesotan nonprofits in the coming week, so look out for it. We are also working collaborative with almost 30 organizations to create local responses to the rise of discrimination, racism and violence targeting Asian Minnesotans. We’ll also share more about this work in the coming week. 

Yes, there are gaps and holes to be filled, and much more still needs to be done. We are particularly concerned about how help may be excluding or are not reaching the most vulnerable in our communities. That’s why more than ever we must continue to build community power and help our people exercise that power to shape our democracy. 

One of the best opportunities to do this is to make sure that you and all your family members are counted  in the 2020 Census. You can complete the census online or by using the form that was mailed to you. If you have extended family who may not be able to do this, please help them out. Being counted is one of the most important pillars of our democracy. In addition to the census, we’ll continue to work closely with you to ensure that community voice is valued in policy making. 

Thank you for taking care of yourselves and taking care of each other. 

In solidarity,
Bo, Cameron, Consuelo, Emily, Jenny, Kay, KaYing, and Natasha

COMMUNITY PRIORITY ISSUES

On April 2nd, we, along with eight Asian Minnesotan organizations, were joined by 107 people virtually at our 4th annual Asian Minnesotans at the Capitol Day. We did not cancel the event because we are committed to elevating our communities’ voices and presence at the Capitol; even if it had to be done virtually. Like all times before, but even more now in a crisis, we wanted to ensure that policymakers hear directly from their constituents, and that our people understand the power that they have to inform and shape policy. The stories shared by our community leaders about how they were being impacted by COVID-19 and the challenges they’re facing trying to find help was moving and instructive to everyone who wants to make sure all communities get through this pandemic.

Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Flanagan, along Minority Leader Senator Susan Kent and the Minnesota Asian Pacific Caucus Chair Representative Samantha Vang also joined the event.

We arranged for meetings with 30 legislators so that participants could virtually meet with their elected members. We stood united in the face of this pandemic to advocate for equitable resources and to denounce racism against Asians in Minnesota and across the country.

If you missed the day, it’s not too late to stand with us. We invite you to take action by sending emails and messages through social media to key policy makers demanding the following:

• COVID-19: In partnership with leaders in our community make information accessible in both written and verbal for limited English proficient neighbors.
• Xenophobia & Racism: Denounce racism and pass bipartisan (HF3837/SF4332) legislation to strengthen hate crime laws and keep families together. In addition, invest in community-based solutions and support communities to create safety beyond criminalization. Also, fear-based, federal immigration policies continue to tear families apart. We urge the legislature to pass HF 3975/SF 4087, which reforms the criminal justice system to protect our community members from deportation and keep our families together.
• Economics: Invest in community-based organizations and small businesses, and create solutions for micro and small businesses beyond short term solutions that do not effectively address all burdens placed on small businesses.
• Education: Invest in multilingual staff and ensure that education strategies are centered on students with the most needs. During this distance learning period, increase community engagement and support to parents. There are hidden costs to families and parents’ lack of access to the internet, learning resources and tools leave students with the burden of figuring it out for themselves or going without an education.

In the upcoming weeks, we’ll host discussions about the impact of COVID-19 on education. Please contact KaYing Yang at KaYing@caalmn.org if you want to be engaged in any of our three priority issues of economics, education and immigration. Please monitor our calendar to sign up for events.

LEADERSHIP SUPPORT

Community members showed up fully on Friday, April 3, to hold much needed space for self and community care. During the session we were able to pause, connect, and grieve together. This pandemic weighs heavy on all of us, and the first session of our Self and Community Care Exchange enabled Asian Minnesotans to share the weight by verbalizing our concerns, being fully present in the hardships, and extending the power of connection to one another. It was a powerful reminder of that community strength and support exists, and together we will get through this.

The group is building a mutual aid document to share and identify mutual help for Asian Minnesotan communities. We invite you to contribute to this document if you have offerings, or know of any resources that could help. If you want to help co-create future Self and Community Care Exchange sessions, please let Kay Moua know by emailing kay@caalmn.org. 

Many students started distance learning programs, and we are hearing from our young people about the hardships they face and how their needs are being ignored. In a powerful testimony shared this week by one of our BOBA youth leaders, Annie Moua, shed light that young people are experiencing a multitude of challenges including:

• lack of accessibility to technology and productive learning spaces,
• a decline in mental and emotional health,
• not having their basic necessities met, and
• many face unsafe working conditions because they are in jobs that they don’t control.

High school seniors are experiencing high levels of anxiety and deep disappointment over the uncertainty of graduating. Annie shared that for many Asian Minnesotan youth who are first generation students, graduation is an important milestone, and it’s an opportunity that helps families heal from historical trauma. She’s now unsure of what will happen and her family is not in a position to help her.

We ask educators and parents to extend empathy, offer tangible support, and show up with grace as students adjust to distance learning, and navigate without resources.

We urge education leaders and decision makers to connect with students to listen deeply to students to better understand their needs.