Asian Communities
1. The Immigration/Refugee Experience14:
Migrating to Western countries while dealing with culture shock, identity loss, and learned importance of Eastern philosophy can be traumatizing, resulting in poverty, violence, PTSD, limited education, etc.
Healing Responses/Practices:
- Seek treatment for stress, depression, and trauma to be connected to the right resources, and join support groups
Reflection Question: What are ways to adapt and balance both your ethnic culture and U.S culture?
2. COVID-19 Xenophobia15 16:
There have been many cases of violence toward the Asian community. Many, especially Asian elders, have experienced beatings, violent bullying, threats, racist abuse, discrimination, and even death.
Healing Responses/Practices:
- Engage in mental breaks from social media or the news
- Continue to raise awareness and support other Asians
Reflection Question: How does this increasing Anti-Asian sentiment make you feel?
3. Intergenerational Trauma17 18 19:
When Asian immigrants migrate, they become a minority in a new country while maintaining Asian customs, passing on parts of their experience onto offspring. Younger generations struggle within their new country with issues such as racism, exclusion, self-identity, etc.
Healing Responses/Practices:
- Begin conversations regarding trauma with our communities and join safe spaces to raise awareness and reclaim the narrative about these issues
Reflection Question: How do you or your family perform intergenerational healing?