During this global pandemic, we hear reports of attacks on Asians and Asian Americans across the country. We are confronted by cycles of blame and fear on those who are perceived to be from China. Asian Americans young and old fear leaving their houses while masked. We also see Asians and Asian Americans speaking out against hate and violence, as well as communities of color rising up with mutual aid efforts and creative networks of support in this time of physical isolation.

To respond to these trends, and to speak on the history of anti-Asian sentiment and the power of strong community in the United States, we are bringing together a conversation of leading figures in the Asian American community who are fighting back against this violence to lead us in a conversation. Join us to reflect on how we can go beyond going back to “normal” after this pandemic, and instead imagine a new society that continues to dismantle and fight against racism and prejudice.

This conversation will be moderated by JANM’s Chief Curator Karen Ishizuka, and will feature Russell Jeung (SF State University), Taz Ahmed (Good Muslim, Bad Muslim Podcast), Renee Tajima-Peña (Asian Americans series producer), and Robin Toma (LA County Human Relations Commission). This program is Part I of “Reimagining ‘Normal’,” a new JANM series exploring race and racism in the United States.

This program is FREE, but RSVPs are required using the link below. You will be emailed links and instructions 24 hours before the program begins in order to join our conversation on Zoom. Please confirm that the email that you register with is the best way to reach you. Contact publicprograms@janm.org if you have any additional questions or specific access concerns.

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Image: Photo of the 1963 March on Washington from JANM's permanent collection. Japanese American National Museum (Gift of K. Patrick and Lily A. Okura, 98.158.2)