Rice and Shine, photo: Valerie Siba Rousparas.
Following the tragic shot in Atlanta, Georgia, which killed 8 Asian Americans on March 16, 2021, the topic of anti-Asian racism has been in the spotlight around the world, an issue that do not exclude our own Berlin.
Particularly due to the pandemic with phrases like “Kung flu” and “Chinese virus” Asian communities are wary of increasing anti-Asian racism. For me, this past year has forced me to be more aware of my Asian character than ever before, leaving me wondering if the person who just walked away from me on the U-Bahn just because of my almond-shaped eyes that smile at them. behind my mask.
While COVID-19 has exacerbated the situation, racism against Asians existed long before the pandemic. Here in Berlin, men fetishize my “exotic oriental beauty” and the “ching chong” mumbo jumbo shouted at me in the street, to name just a few slight remarks. Special attention should be paid to such experiences not to complain about our beloved Berlin, but because we care about this city and want to help make it safer for the communities that make this place so special.
Below is a list of podcasts, creative and political networks for our readers to learn more about our Asian friends and neighbors in Berlin. Today at 2 p.m. there will also be a demonstration outside the United States Embassy in Berlin in solidarity with the victims of the Atlanta shooting, organized by some of the initiatives listed below.
Podcasts
Diaspor.Asia Podcast
Diaspor.Asia is an independent German-language podcast that focuses on empowering Asian identities, sharing the stories of the Asian diaspora living in Germany. They have covered a wide range of topics including politics, mental health, sex, film, and spirituality.
Beyond Asia: Stories from the Third Culture
Beyond Asian is an English-language podcast hosted by Sen Zhan, based in Berlin. Zhan interviews people of diverse Asian identities who live in the “third culture,” which is defined as the mixed identity formed by your home culture and the other cultures you were raised in. Beyond Asian shares wonderfully intimate stories that will surely make listeners feel that they are not alone in their quest to find themselves.
Rice and shine
Produced by Minh Thu Tran, Vanessa Vu and Linh Tran, Rice and shine was founded in 2018 and focuses on Vietnamese-German experiences. The podcast is in German and was nominated in 2019 for the Grimme Online Award. Check them out to learn more about one of the country’s largest Asian communities.
photo: Valerie Siba Rousparas
BIN ICH SÜßSAUER?
BIN ICH SÜßSAUER? – which literally translates to “Am I bittersweet?” – is produced by Sung Un Gang and interviews the queer Asian community in Germany. They release new 30-60 minute episodes in German on the first day of each month. BIN ICH SÜßSAUER? provides a space for gay Asians to share their stories and connect with others.
photo: Bin ich süßsauer
Creative networks
YEOJA Mag
Founded by Rae Tilly, YEOJA Mag is an online publication that aims to amplify diverse and inclusive voices across the paradigm of intersectional feminism. YEOJA Mag accomplishes this by publishing interviews and stories, as well as hosting workshops and events to empower marginalized communities. YEOJA Mag is also involved in the organization of the Sunday demonstration.
photo: Rae Tilly
Berlin Asian Cinema Network
Supporting young independent filmmakers and fighting against discrimination, the Berlin Asian Cinema Network is committed to representing the Asian-German perspectives in the world of film and television. BAFNet provides a place for creators to network and show their films, specifically supporting communities in the Asian diaspora. You can see their current work against racism and discrimination here.
photo: BAFNET
a.thai.tled
a.thai.tled was founded in Berlin by Sarnt Utamachote and Wisanu Phu-artdun as a network to connect Thai and Asian-German creatives. un.thai.tled provides opportunities for collaboration and for artists to work on their projects. According to un.thai.tled, their goal is to reclaim the narrative of Asian stories and challenge stereotypes.
photo: un.thai.tled
Asian Performers Laboratory
Another platform for Asian artists based in Berlin is Asian Performers Laboratory (APAL) which promotes the visibility of Asian creations. They provide opportunities for artistic exploration and collaboration, and provide the opportunity to write and carry out workshop projects. They currently have a open call for Asian artists.
Kumar Muniandy
Political networks
ichbinkeinVirus.org
ichbinkeinVirus.org came to fruition last year during the federal government’s #WirvsVirus hackathon aimed at finding creative solutions to the problems caused by the pandemic. ichbinkeinVirus.org was the only one of over 1,500 projects to tackle the subject of racism and unfortunately ended up being do not receive funds of the undiversified jury. IchbinkeinVirus.org provides a space for Asian communities to share their experiences with racism caused by the virus and provides resources for people who have had to endure racist attacks.
DEUTSCHE ASIAT * INNEN, MAKE NOISE
Based in Berlin, THIN* is a political platform that mobilizes Asian communities in Germany to fight fascism, sexism and racism, aiming to raise awareness of cross discrimination. By focusing on activism, community organizing, education and empowerment, DAMN * is a place for Asians living in Germany to amplify their political voice.
photo: Huong Nam Nguyen Thi
Korean verband
The Korea Verband is a German speaking and politically independent platform for those interested in Korean history and culture. Focusing on developments in the Korean Peninsula, Korean Verband also addresses issues related to immigration and identity. Korean Verband is also late Comforting Women Action Group who fights for the recognition and justice of Korean women who were forced into sexual slavery during World War II.
orientation
orientation is a network for Asian Germans which aims to fight racism and share a socio-critical vision of culture, media and politics. According to korientation, the term “Asian-German” represents the “thematic and political positioning” of the organization and is not intended to be an attribution of ethnic identity, focusing more on inclusiveness and raising awareness among the various people living in Germany.
Diesen Artikel auf deutsch lesen.
by Aisha
March 28, 2021
in the stories