STAND UP FOR AAPI YOUTH
ART PROJECT
By:
Alysha Lee
National Teen Board
Member
The Stand Up 4 AAPI Youth Project, was created by Alysha Lee of the Beyond Differences National Teen Board to give students a safe space to support the AAPI community in their fight against Anti-Asian Hate.
Across the nation, her project has built connection, encouraged belonging, and promoted teamwork for change.
OVERVIEW
Meet the Maker: Beyond Differences National Teen Board Member Alysha
Alysha is a 17 year old ballerina from Northern California. During the pandemic, the surge in Anti-Asian Hate in her community made Alysha feel isolated and helpless. She wanted to find ways for AAPI youth to talk about their fears and to organize their communities to support AAPI folks. Using the skills gained from Beyond DIfferences, Alysha led a team of youth activists to create this project. Today, it has gone out to 10,000 schools nationwide and Alysha has been recognized by the US Surgeon General for her incredible work.
NOTE TO TEACHERS AND
STUDENT LEADERS
OPENING: AAPI HATE CRIME STATISTICS
From the latest statistics recorded by the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism, Anti Asian Hate Crimes have risen by 339% in just a single year.
In 2021 alone, 1 in 10 Asian Americans have experienced Anti-Asian Hate, and nearly 1 in 3 have been told specifically to “go back to your country”.
The invisibility of anti-Asian hate crimes is a reflection of the invisibility of Asians as a part of the American experience: 58% of Americans cannot name a single prominent Asian American, and 42% cannot think of a historical event reflecting Asian Americans.
What do these statistics tell us about Anti-Asian Hate?
Anti Asian Hate is not just one incident. It is a national issue affecting an entire community. The fear Asian American kids are feeling is real
Seeing Asian Americans as unwelcome foreigners or blaming them for bringing COVID is wrong and should not be tolerated.
Representation is a powerful tool in stopping hate. Learning and sharing about the long standing Asian American experience is a very important in enabling Asian American student safety and sense of belonging.
Exploration:Using origami as a tool to uplift AAPI youth
Origami is a centuries old Japanese art form often used to bring communities together in times of joy and sadness. Folding together focused on a single idea unites people and ignites belonging.
Alysha’s project draws on this tradition. In this project, communities come together to fold origami cranes or rabbits while envisioning ways to uplift AAPI youth in
the wake of Anti-Asian Hate.
ART ACTIVITY: MAKING A PAPER CRANE
ALTERNATE ACTIVITY: MAKING A RABBIT
EXPLORATION: ADDING A WISH TO YOUR CRANE OR RABBIT
What is one thing our community could do to support AAPI youth?
or
What is one thing we could do to make you feel seen and safe?
After making your paper crane or rabbit, add a banner answering one of the prompts:
Attach the wish banner to the crane by thread or tape
DISCUSSION
Share with someone next to you what you wrote on your wish banner.
Turn & Talk
Group Discussion
Share out what you and your partner have offered as solutions to stop AAPI hate.
Make a shareable list of you solutions to discuss with with your school and/or community leaders.
Here are some of the many ways to display our project.
EXPLORATION: PROJECT EXAMPLES
Examples of Ideas to stop AAPI Hate:
After you complete and hang your project in a public place, have everyone walk through and read the banners. Take notice of any connections and think of ways you can put your ideas into action.
GALLERY WALK
CLOSING: GROUP DISCUSSION
Reflect on the following questions:
Throughout history, the Asian American community had worked in partnership with other communities to create change. What partnerships would help make change today?
CLOSING: GROUP DISCUSSION
Want to get more involved?
Alysha and members of the Beyond Differences National Teen Board are available to zoom into your classroom or assembly to talk about this project and the work they do across the country to end social isolation. She loves answering questions about her work on the Beyond Differences National Teen Board as well as helping fellow young people develop ideas to uplift their communities. If you are in high school, you can also apply for our National Teen Board! Email teens@beyonddifferences.org to learn more.
SHARE
Make inclusion the new cool in school!
Share your photos of your art project on social media.
Tag @beyonddifferences and use the hashtags:
#StandUpforAAPIYouth #BeyondDifferences
PRINTABLE DOCUMENTS
Read the book “Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes” by Eleanor Coerr with students.
EXTENSION OPPORTUNITIES