Listening Circle 
FORJ Peirce
Sunday March 21st at 8pm
RSVP HERE

As members of Families Organizing for Racial Justice (“FORJ”) at Peirce, we are saddened by the recent shooting in Atlanta where several Asian Americans were killed.  We know that there has been a rise in attacks against people of Asian descent and are concerned that this is the latest in such attacks.  Nearly 3,800 hate incidents targeting Asian-Americans have been reported in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., since last March.  We wanted to reach out to our families and offer support in whatever way we can to come together and acknowledge that targeting any group is wrong and reprehensible and a hate crime against all.  For those who want to process in community, we are also offering a listening circle.  A listening circle is a means of creating and maintaining authentic connection through a safe space to share our truths, and to deeply listen to others.

Violence Against Asian Americans: How Do We Support the Children?
EmbraceRace
Wednesday March 24th, 2021 at 8:30 pm
RSVP HERE

The murders of eight people at massage parlors in the Atlanta area, most of them Asian American and women, marks only the most awful, recent contribution to a year-long spike in violence against Asians and Asian Americans in the US.  The advocacy group STOP AAPI [Asian American Pacific Islander] Hate received some 3,000 reports of assaults against group members between March and December 2020 alone, many of them targeting women and seniors.

Join us for a conversation about the resulting toll on Asian and Asian American people and communities and about how these communities are pushing back.  How are parents, family members, teachers and other caregivers supporting children at a time when physical safety is all but impossible to guarantee?  How can the rest of us meaningfully support our Asian and Asian American family members, friends and neighbors?

Please bring your experiences, insights and questions as you join us for this important conversation.

The Monologue Project: Common Threads – original monologues from Asian American girls and women who live in Newton
Newton Theater Company
Saturday April 10th at 8pm 
RSVP HERE

Our next virtual production celebrates the voices of Asian American girls and women in the Newton community.  Directed by Edie Pike and Valerie Goldstein, the show brings together a group of Asian American girls and women to share their stories and experiences.  The stories, from a population that has been continuously silenced throughout history, explore both hardships and celebrations of how Asian American women have been able to navigate their identity and break through stereotypes.

The show will include original monologues written by cast members as well as performances by local artists.

FORJ NSHS Asian American Pacific Islander Solidarity Night 
FORJ NSHS
Wednesday April 14th at 7pm
RSVP HERE

Join us for our upcoming FORJ NSHS Asian American Pacific Islander Solidarity Night on Wednesday, April 14th @ 7pm!  This will be a night to learn specifically how to support our AAPI students as well as to offer affinity spaces for YOU — AAPI students and allies who are parents, guardians, faculty and community members.  We realize this is one of the first nights of Ramadan, and hope that our Muslim friends can join us for at least part of the evening.  Please register for the event HERE.

We plan to offer an opportunity to learn about:

• the historical and systemic roots of violence and discrimination against AAPI communities

• how AAPI communities are impacted in terms of mental health and how to help and get help

• how best to support our young people, family members and friends during this difficult time

Through breakout rooms, we will offer affinity spaces by age and racial identities in addition to random groups to allow people to learn from each other and offer each other support.  We look forward to seeing you!

FORJ AAPI Affinity Space
TIME TBD
RSVP HERE 

FORJ is looking to start a FORJ AAPI Affinity Group for adults.  If you are interested in finding out more about the group, please fill out this form.  This will be a monthly or bi-monthly meeting for folks who identify as AAPI.  Affinity group spaces are healing and affirming of individuals’ identities by connecting people so they can witnesses each other’s stories.  Sharing experiences that resonate with others releases fears fed by isolation while moving participants into a space of self-compassion and awareness that is grounding for all involved.

Safety Tips for Those Experiencing or Witnessing Hate
From Stop AAPI Hate Crimes

5 Things to Consider When Experiencing Hate

1. Safety First: Trust your instincts and assess your surroundings.  If you feel unsafe and you are able to, leave the area.

2. Stay Calm: Take a deep breath, limit eye-contact, and maintain neutral body language.

3. Speak Out (If you can do so safely): In a calm and firm voice establish physical boundaries, and denounce their behavior and comments.

4. Seek Immediate Support: Ask bystanders for support or intervention.

5. Seek Emotional Support: Once you feel safe, take time to recover and reach out to someone to talk about what happened.  Remember this is not your fault, and you are not alone.

5 Ways to Help If You Witness Hate

1. Take Action: Approach the targeted person, introduce yourself, and offer support.

2. Actively Listen: Ask before taking any actions and respect the targeted person’s wishes. Monitor the situation if needed.

3. Ignore Attacker: Using your discretion, attempt to calm the situation by using your voice, body language, or distractions.

4. Accompany: If the situation escalates, invite the targeted person to join you in leaving.

5. Offer Emotional Support: Help the targeted person by asking how they’re feeling.  Assist them in figuring out what they want to do next.