At the end of Black History Month this year, we put out a call for writing that continued and promoted solidarity between the Asian American and Black communities. Mochi’s first Writing for Change Contest was inspired by the work of Grace Lee Boggs, who dedicated her lifetime to working alongside the Black community. This year’s contest asked writers to share, “In consideration of complex histories and current movements, what can Asian Americans do to be better allies and co-conspirators in the fight for racial justice?”
We are thankful for all those who submitted to us and are thrilled to announce — not one but — two grand prize winners, Rohan Zhou-Lee and Haruko Glory, whose powerful responses to this question were rooted in both citations of activists who have paved the way and personal experiences that continue that path.
Zhou-Lee’s essay “To Build Solidarity, Asian Americans Must Know Ourselves First” stood out to us, as they deftly explore the history of racial triangulation in the United States, as well as how their own experiences as a Black Asian person have given them a unique perspective on “intersectional power.” On the other hand, Glory’s provocative essay “Confessional Vulnerability in Action: How Positionality and Privileges Inform our Biases” delves deep into interethnic tensions, challenging us to take specific calls to action in our anti-racist journeys.
Reaching Asian Power: To Build Solidarity, Asian Americans Must Know Ourselves First
Of Glory’s work, Black Allyship @ Mochi co-editor and contest judge Tria Wen says, “This is a voice that deserves to be heard. After reading Glory’s piece, I thought about it for days. What made it so powerful to me was the honesty, the authenticity, and the desire the author had to bring his whole self to the page in order to make deeper connections with a community that had not yet embraced him.”
Confessional Vulnerability in Action: How Positionality and Privileges Inform Our Biases
We can’t wait for you to read these inspiring and informative essays for yourself in the coming months. For now, check out previously published BA@M resources and articles to grow your understanding of systemic racism and anti-Blackness, to be better — albeit imperfect — allies, and to encourage healing between our communities as we build a more just tomorrow.
Mochi Magazine’s Black Allyship @ Mochi column is an ongoing project that urges an awareness of racial injustice in the United States, particularly the oppression of Black people in America. The articles, resources, and opinions we share are a call to action, an open discussion, and a place to take a stance against anti-Black racism.
This activity is supported in part by the California Arts Council, a state agency. Learn more at www.arts.ca.gov.
