Remember our Faces

Following the brutal deaths of Michelle Go and Christina Yuna Lee in NYC last year and a rise in reported Asian American hate crimes, it seems that safe spaces around New York are rapidly disappearing. According to an analysis by the Center for the Study of Hate & Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino, new research finds that in 16 of the largest U.S. cities, anti-Asian hate crimes jumped 145% in 2020. This racist climate cuts even deeper when you address the misogyny, the hyper-sexualization of Asian women and the vulnerability of working class Asian immigrants and sex workers. Far too often we see law enforcement continue to deny acts of violence as hate crimes, and far too often, these acts of violence are overlooked and soon forgotten.

When a death occurs, we come together. We mourn. Time passes. We slowly forget. We move on. The conversation stops. Then another death occurs, and the cycle starts again. When will this end?

The conversation must continue.

Here at Studio Rodrigo, 9 out of 19 of our full-time employees are AAPI women and femme. In the month of November we’d like to focus on the varied experiences of the Asian diaspora and create a healing and creative space for our community. We’re amplifying AAPI-focused events that represent Asian American art and culture, including a book talk and a comedy show, as well as organizing two events that provide educational and historical context to the Asian American experience.

If you’d like to join us, events will be free (Amp Club will provide donations to any events that have fees) and we‘ll host a meal / coffee / happy hour afterwards to debrief. In addition to the five events that Amp Club will be attending, there are a lot of AAPI-focused events happening in NYC in the fall. Check out our events calendar for a few highlights.

Let’s come together to continue these important conversations and strengthen our collective resilience.

Amp Club events this month

🌸 Emerge: Asian Diasporic Writers in Conversation (Wed, Oct 26 2022, 7:30 PM) — Hosted by the Asian American Writers’ Workshop. In-person at Lincoln Center (David Rubenstein Atrium). See more here.

🌺 Museum of Chinese America Tour + Dinner (Fri, Nov 4, 3:00 PM- 6:00 PM)— Tour of MOCA Core Exhibit and dinner at Ming’s Cafe or Wu’s Wonton Cafe + Happy Star Bakery following the tour. See more here and here.‍

🌼 AzN PoP! (Fri, Nov 11, 10:00 PM) — Satirical pop band & all-Asian Sketch Comedy team. In-person at Littlefield. See more here.

💮 Atsuko & Friends (Tues, Nov 15, 7:30 PM). Atsuko Okatsuka is a Taiwanese and Japanese comedian and TikTok star who has gone viral for started the viral #Dropchallenge with her grandmother. She brings her comedic shops to the Bellhouse this Nov. See more here.

🌹 Safety/Defense Training Class (Fri, Nov 18, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM, Gowanus Fitness). Self defense class for AAPI women, femmes and allies organized in partnership with Soar Over Hate and Muay Thai fighter Jess Ng. See more here and here.

For more information, please contact ampclub@studiorodrigo.com

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