MISSION
Since 2020, reports of hate crimes towards Asians have grown at a staggering rate, garnering media attention on the bigotry and its impact faced by Asians in Canada. However, anti-Asian racism is by no means a nascent phenomenon. Rooted in the legacy of colonialism and racialization, Asians have, for long, faced social and political oppression, marginalization, and ostracism. Yet, their struggles are often dismissed or overlooked in the dominant narrative.
My Script My Voice came to life at the unprecedented times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sighting the impact of anti-Asian racism (AAR) on Asian youth and their families, the project’s primary objective is to empower Asian youth and families to share their voices and experiences on the issue has affected many in the Asian community.
From speaking to youth and families, we also acknowledge that speaking about racism can be complicated and difficult, especially for individuals who have never spoken about it before. Hence, the project aims to promote capacity-building for Asian youth and their families, to assist them to navigate race-related topics in their daily lives.
We also recognize that every community is different. My Script My Voice takes a community-based approach to addressing AAR. Made by community for community, the project seeks to develop an Asian-centred approach against AAR and racism that is informed by the experiences and expertise of the Asian community.
Land Acknowledgement
My Script My Voice wants to acknowledge that we gather as University of Toronto on the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca, and the Mississaugas of the Credit.
We would like to acknowledge our roles, as settlers, gather on this land because of the many Indigenous people who were forcibly displaced by colonialism. Today, this meeting place is still the home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work on this land and commit our work to reflecting our roles as settlers, and honouring and restoring the Indigenous peoples’ living connection to this land.