Since the beginning of the pandemic, Asian Oregonians have faced rising levels of race-based hate crimes and harassment. This year alone, dozens of Asian-owned small businesses have been vandalized or broken into. The Oregonian reports that bias incidents have increased 53% in the last year.
The APANO team is consistently receiving multiple calls and viewing frequent posts in social media of small businesses subjected to ongoing race-based incidents. With windows and doors broken, break-ins and burglary, graffiti, general vandalism, potted plants stolen and broken, signage tagged or pulled down, general damages adding more stress to an already stressful economy and climate of continuing uncertainty. On top of the economic uncertainty and challenges of Covid, this targeted harassment is unacceptable.
APANO recognizes that small businesses are more than just storefronts, they are community anchors. They are community spaces and gathering grounds, access points to feeling connected to culture and home, ways to connect with our families and loved ones and a place to share stories with new friends. In the recent rash of vandalism, many businesses have been unable to access funds to make repairs, and a broken window or door can cost upwards of $2,000 to fix--a big hit for many small businesses. At the beginning of the pandemic, we asked our members to come together to help support the Jade District and Washington County workers who were unable to receive income support. With your help we were able to distribute over $50,000 to impacted workers, and we are now asking our community to come together again to support impacted Asian-owned businesses.
While fixing a broken window is not a solution to the root problems of race-based bias or violence, we can still show up for our community by offering our support. And together we can show care and let our Asian community know that we are here for each other.
Your donation goes directly to Asian-owned business owners who have been vandalized.
APANO Communities United Fund is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Contributions to APANO Communities United Fund are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. If you would like to contribute by check, please make your check out to "APANO Communities United Fund" and mail it to 8188 SE Division St. Portland, OR 97206.
Photo credit: Howard Klink