For our Standing Up Against Hate special section this month, we connected with a few local organizations serving diverse communities.
Erik Kennedy talks about his organizations that serve Asian and Pacific islander communities:
Chronicle: What is your role and your organization’s role?
Erik Kennedy: Co-Founder of ElevAsian and board member for the Asian American Pacific Islander Coalition of Wisconsin. The coalition of Wisconsin unites AAPI leaders throughout the state, serving as a conduit for AAPI communities and local, municipal and state resources to come together to stand against hate and racism. ElevAsian is a Wisconsin-based group that seems to elevate the visibility and amplify the voices of Asian Americans in our communities.
Is there any message you have for the Jewish community? Can inter-community relationships help fight hate and how?
Hate has no home and as a community, we must continue to call out antisemitism, Asian & AAPI hate, racism, and all forms of hate, while reporting it and standing up against it. We must continue to work with elected officials, law enforcement, and stakeholders to raise awareness and identify and implement intentional, meaningful, and purposeful initiatives to reduce hate, racism, and violence. I reflect on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s quote, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” We all have the ability to make a difference and impact in our community as we continue to remove our lenses to embrace one another for who we are while respecting and loving them.
Are there projects you are working on that the public can participate in? How can people learn more?
Through AAPI Coalition and ElevAsian, we continue to collaborate and partner with elected officials, law enforcement and stakeholders to create community awareness of the rise of Asian and AAPI hate, racism, antisemitism, and all forms of hate. We continue to be a part of intentional initiatives and programs to raise awareness. For example, I am humbled and honored to be a part of the Jewish Community Relations Council and AAPI community committee. In addition, I have been a part of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation’s Light the Hoan / Shine a Light Against Antisemitism, and we recently hosted a panel discussion with AAPI and Jewish stakeholders.
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Serving diverse communities
For our Standing Up Against Hate special section this month, we connected with a few local organizations serving diverse communities.
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