To Our Community

February 9, 2021

At the beginning of the pandemic, when racist rhetoric and violence toward Asians began rising in the US, we released a statement (below) that called for change and solidarity. A year later, it’s unfortunate that this message needs to be stated again. Even sadder, we know this won’t be the last time either.

The recent attacks on Asian elders has impacted us at Wong Fu Productions greatly. We see our parents, our grandparents in these videos. We feel the pain, confusion, and even hopelessness that many in our community are feeling right now. We see division within our own community of how to respond. We search for answers and solidarity from other communities. We just want our families to be safe. Instead, every other week—or even day—there’s a new video of Asian Americans being spit on, heckled, robbed, stabbed, killed. There is no end in sight.

Anti-Asian sentiment and violence is not new. It’s over a century old since Chinese immigrants were banned from America after building its railroads, but blamed and lynched for taking jobs. Since Japanese internment camps turned US citizens into enemies. Since Vincent Chin was targeted and murdered by Detroit auto workers frustrated by factory closures. Since a global pandemic turned our country against anyone who looked like us. Attacks and aggressions—big and small—are part of our history in this country. We are perceived as easy targets—a model minority. But this is changing. We are using our voices like never before. We are organizing and protecting. We are recognizing our united power. And we want change.

For us at WFP, we will continue to stand up against racism on all levels. We uplift Asian Americans in our work and our agendas, but not at the cost of bringing others down. We recognize the intricate, mangled connection we have with various groups in this country and that there are no clear paths to a single solution. But right now, we simply ask for solidarity and amplification of our needs.

To our friends and allies in the Black and Brown communities, you are not our enemy. Hate and ignorance is what we stand against together in this country. And just as we hold members of our community accountable, we ask that you call out anti-Asian hate and racism when you see it in yours. Eye for an eye is not going to get us anywhere. Our groups have been unfairly and unknowingly pitted against each other since the beginning. We know we have allies and we know positive support doesn’t travel as fast or far on social media as toxic messages and damning videos, but we see you and thank you. It doesn’t go unnoticed. Please keep it going.

To our Asian brothers and sisters: Stay vigilant, get involved at any level or role that you can or are comfortable with to help us progress, and be proud to be Asian American!

-WF

June 1, 2020

Our hearts, our pleas, and our efforts are with the Black community. Black Lives Matter. The past few days, our small team at WFP have been sharing their support and joining the discourse, but we know that this is far from an answer or enough. The Asian American community as a whole can be a meaningful ally.

Please take this time to listen and learn before passing judgment. Please see the bigger picture and understand that unity between our communities is crucial for progress and equality. And finally, please see how you can help more directly—through the link below, which provides many options of how you can support: donations, petitions, and resources to open dialogue/involvement with Black organizations.

We’ve been discussing internally and decided we won’t be releasing our normally scheduled content on our channel this week because all attention should be given to the BLM message for justice. Instead, we will be trying to put together a panel of community and thought leaders to start an open dialogue about the work Asian and Black Americans can put in together towards solidarity against racism and white supremacy.

While we recognize the urgency to mobilize and take action, please be careful as COVID-19 is still a serious, ongoing threat. Be strong and be safe everyone.

-WF