Ferguson Protests Sparked Activism and Self-Reflection among Asian Americans

Ellen Lo Hoffman was taken aback by the shooting of Michael Brown, a Black teenager, by a Ferguson, Missouri, police officer ten years ago. Hoffman, an assistant regional director for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, hosted a gathering at her Seattle home a month later, where Asian American employees were questioned by a Black staff member about their alliance. This moment prompted Asian American staffers to renew their alignment with their Black colleagues, showing solidarity amidst racial injustices.
The tragic events surrounding Michael Brown’s death and the treatment of Black Lives Matter protesters pushed many Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders to reflect internally. This paved the way for organizations and individuals of all ages to step up, whether through statements, protests, or educational discussions.
Gregg Orton, director of the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans, recalls the summer of 2014 as a turning point for the Asian American Pacific community, prompting a deep examination of their solidarity with marginalized groups. Events like the deaths of Eric Garner and Michael Brown led to discussions and panels on racial injustice and police brutality.
Beatrice Chen, a former programming director at the Museum of Chinese in America, organized a panel on race and police brutality post-Brown and Garner’s deaths. The event attracted a large audience, demonstrating a strong desire for open dialogue on these pressing issues.
The heightened activism continued into 2020 with the resurgence of advocacy for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders following events like the Atlanta spa shootings. More people engaged in protests, advocacy work, and educational initiatives aimed at raising awareness and promoting inclusivity.
Efforts to collect and analyze data have also played a crucial role in advocating for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. Organizations like AAPI Data have been pivotal in shedding light on socioeconomic disparities within these groups, leading to significant wins like better data disaggregation by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget.
Despite some challenges, there is a collective effort among young and older generations within the community to enact positive change and progress towards a more inclusive and equitable society.