Asia Society Southern California launched a "Standing Against Racism" series in 2020 to raise awareness and combat the escalating violence and intolerance towards those of Asian descent and other communities of color. There have been four special programs to date and participants have included CNN's Lisa Ling, Van Jones, and Amara Walker; Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA), Georgia State. Rep. Bee Nguyen, Rev. James M. Lawson, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Viet Thanh Nguyen, Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Nikole Hannah-Jones, ADL Vice President Max Sevillia, Stop AAPI Hate Co-Founder Dr. Russell Jeung, CEO of Asian Americans Advancing Justice Los Angeles Connie Chung Joe, The Asian American Education Project Co-Founder Stewart Kwoh, LA Urban League President and CEO Michael Lawson, Japanese Consul General Akira Muto, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, among others. If you would like to watch or re-watch any of the programs, the recordings are available on the Asia Society YouTube channel, and the videos are embedded below:

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Standing Against Racism/Asia Society at the Movies: Blurring the Color Line

LOS ANGELES, November 7, 2022 — As part of Asia Society Southern California’s (ASSC) Standing Against Racism series and Asia Society at the Movies initiative, ASSC hosts Blurring the Color Line' film screening and discussion at USC Eileen Norris Cinema Theatre. The documentary's director Crystal Kwok, producer Daniel Wu, and actor and content creator Ryan Alexander Holmes discuss race, race relations, and multicultural/multiethnic upbringing. Lisa Ling, executive producer of the film, moderates the conversation.

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Standing Against Racism: A Conversation on Community-Building Towards Overcoming the U.S. Divide

LOS ANGELES, August 8, 2022 — Following the launch of a community-building initiative by the Japanese Consulate General in Los Angeles, in collaboration with the Los Angeles Urban League and with the support of the Japanese business community, a panel discussion hosted by Asia Society Southern California explores how community-building can lead to a more prosperous and inclusive society. The participants include Japanese Consul General Akira Muto and Urban League President and CEO Michael Lawson. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti gives opening remarks. Journalist Jonathan Karp moderates the conversation.

Standing Against Racism in the Time of COVID: A Conversation on Activism

May 6, 2021 — Asia Society Southern California in partnership with Asia Society Texas Center hosts a conversation on activism – what people and organizations can do to combat these ongoing heinous acts of racism and xenophobia. Panelists included CNN reporter Amara Walker, Georgia State. Rep. Bee Nguyen, Stop AAPI Hate Co-Founder Dr. Russell Jeung and Compassion in Oakland Co-Founder Katrina Ramos, who shared their perspectives on how the current groundswell of support can be sustained to realize immediate relief and enable long-term systemic and social change. CEO of Asian Americans Advancing Justice Los Angeles Connie Chung Joe was the moderator.

Standing Against Racism in the Time of COVID (Part II)

September 2, 2020 – Education and allyship are key to dismantling the racism which persists in ways institutional, historical and structural. In an event presented by Asia Society Southern California, a series of noteworthy participants examine how the Asian American community can contribute to the racial justice movement. Speakers include Rev. James M. Lawson, Viet Thanh Nguyen, Nikole Hannah-Jones, Anthony Jackson, plus others. The conversation looks at the history of cooperation and tension between the Asian American and African American communities. It also explores racism within the Asian American community, including colorism and antiblack sentiment.

Standing Against Racism in the Time of COVID

May 3, 2020 — Asia Society Southern California hosts a special virtual event to raise awareness and combat the escalating violence and intolerance towards those of Asian descent and other communities of color following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Panelists include Lisa Ling, Van Jones, Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA), Wang Leehom, Janet Yang, and more. They discuss and explore the impact of coronavirus-related racism, government and public responses to preventing discrimination, and the significance of remaining engaged and empowered within our own communities.