MUSIC

you know what to get from each place!

We want folks to learn and appreciate our people. Stereotypically, people think Asians are all the same. But we’re so diverse as a community, the AAPI community. Being an Asian person, for the most part we’re taught to keep our heads down, not create any type of noise. Not cause any quote-unquote trouble. For so long, people didn’t know anything about Asian Americans. Showing who we are and being proud of who we are, it’s really important during this time—we want other people to step up as well.

Learn. Learn Asian American history— which is American history. People can donate to organizations that are fighting for justice, and spend their money at AAPI businesses. In 2020 and 2021, over six businesses have closed down on Argyle. Hoa Nam is one. Bingo Tea. A few jewelry stores. Herbs Medic, the acupuncture shop. Altogether it’s nine, actually—some of it has been due to retirement or lack of succession, most of it due to COVID. Argyle is already so small to begin with. To have that many businesses close—we just thought this is a really important time to show people who we are and what this area’s about.

For Haibayô, we have something in the works for AAPI Month in May. We’re collaborating with Qideas, a plant shop in the corridor, to host an outdoor event all along Argyle Street.

Ellen D ươ ng—her family owns Qideas— voiced a lot of her concerns about the Asian hate. A few weeks back, there was a Vietnamese man walking around at night, and he got assaulted. On top of that, there’s just been a lot of racism in general, with the rhetoric and the video we’re seeing from all over the world—people are equating us to the virus. It’s been really tough. We’ve addressed it through a Stop AAPI Hate video that we created.

We thought it would be a good idea to celebrate our unique culture with this outdoor event. We want to create a space where there’s Asian American books available, and we want to get the community involved where they can sell their stu outside. We want to have cultural performances. We want folks to wear their cultural attire if they feel comfortable. I’d be wearing an áo dài, which is a Vietnamese traditional dress. We want to create a safe space to be very proud of who we are. Instead of keeping our heads down and being in fear right now, we’re just giving a fuck you to that. We’re choosing love over hate. v