Session 1: Countering Xenophobia & Violence Against Asian Americans
April 10, 2020
Not only are communities having shift to a new normal to respond to COVID-19, but Asian Minnesotans’ also now indicate that their safety is compromised because of increasing xenophobic and racist behaviors. Stories are emerging about harassment, discrimination, and bias that’s making community members feel targeted. This webinar will feature Dr. Erika Lee, one of the nation’s leading immigration and Asian American historians and Minnesota Department of Human Rights Commissioner Rebecca Lucero. Learn more about our history, what measures are in place to protect communities, and consider what we might do more of to ensure everyone is safe.
Session 2: Immigration & Resistance
July 13, 2020
Asians are fastest growing racial group in Minnesota. In this state alone, there are over 40 ethnic communities whose immigration and migration stories reflect the history of America. In this session, CAAL will bring information and lived experiences and presenters will talk about our state’s immigration policies impact this population and why community activism and resistance is critical to community well-being now.
Session 3: Visibility and Survival in the Age of COVID-19
August 27, 2020
In this session, community leaders and experts will discuss the barriers that shape healthcare disparities for Asian Minnesotans, including the disproportionate impacts of COVID-19, and how communities are responding. Hear from health policy, public health and community experts about what is happening in Asian American and Pacific Islander communities in this COVID-19 pandemic and explore what else can be done to ensure the health needs of the community are addressed.
Session 4: Fired Up and Ready to Take Action
September 24, 2020
The State of Asian Minnesotans Series takes a critical look at the state and progress of Asian/Asian Americans in Minnesota, and considers what else we can do to tap into the assets of, and ensure inclusion of this community. We invite subject experts, researchers, community members, and thought leaders that increase audience knowledge, challenge and allow audiences to dive deeper into their understandings of this population, and provide new thinking and tools for audiences to consider as they work with Asian Minnesotan communities.
Session 5: Radically Reimagining Our Future
November 13, 2020
We will be talking about the results of the November 3 election and what the current political moment means for our future. We will also hear from social justice leaders and organizers about their work to create visionary alternatives to the world as it is towards a world where all of us can thrive.
Session 6: Rising Up Together
December 10, 2020
The current state of our country demands that we act intentionally to rise up together. Let’s explore solutions that change how we envision community-care and ensure that resources are accessible to our most vulnerable communities. We will hear from Karen leaders, one of the more recent refugee groups to Minnesota about how they are building their community in the face of many challenges. We will also discuss themes from webinars, highlighting historic moments that demonstrated how we have risen up together against oppressive systems that harm our communities. Your participation will help us develop tangible steps towards building a thriving Asian Minnesotan community.