In response to the increase in anti-Asian harassment, discrimination and violence across the country, Asian American restaurant owners and chefs nationwide are taking action.
Beverly Kim, the chef and owner of restaurants Parachute and Wherewithall in Chicago, is spearheading a national campaign – called Dough Something (find info via #DoughSomething) – to fight racism against the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. The movement has been getting a lot of attention while doing some good.
Working closely with Asian Americans Advancing Justice on the national #DoughSomething movement, chefs created dough-based dishes on their menu, and a portion of the proceeds benefited the organization.
A Shared Voice, Resources to Fight Hate
Kim said she believes AAPI owners can equip themselves with bystander training at restaurants, and they can proactively prepare for harassment situations that may happen in public spaces, such as restaurants.
“As an Asian American owner, I’ve been preparing myself by actively making sure my staff is taking extra careful in closing – going out with a buddy so they don’t leave alone,” said Kim. “I’ve been connecting with my restaurant community, neighbors, alderman, and this group Asian Americans Advancing Justice to be a support system of ideas and support should something come up.”
Kim has also been connecting the community through #DoughSomething, so people can empathize and use their shared voice and resources to fight hate.
In light of the current climate, AAPI restaurants have an opportunity to connect in solidarity and advocacy of stopping Asian Hate and be proud to be Asian Americans, according to Kim. “Our cuisines are varied and nuanced, just like us. We deserve to be celebrated and respected with our contributions to cuisine in America,” Kim said.
Words of Encouragement for APPI Restaurants
Kim offered words of encouragement for AAPI restaurants. “This [#DoughSomething] is a movement that I have seen more cross-cultural support than ever before. Solidarity to take action is coming from all backgrounds, which is super encouraging,” she said. “We are all realizing injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere. We are not alone.”
Kim added they are all relearning what it means to be American – relearning the Asian American history that hasn’t been taught and debunking the model minority myth.
RELATED: 4 Ways Bars & Restaurants Can Support the AAPI Community
Though unfortunately through very tragic circumstances, Kim said they have this unique moment to re-educate and re-align themselves to stop racism in America. This is a moment where they can reassess the mistakes in media, education and policies that got them here.
The best ways to support AAPI-owned restaurants is by supporting them financially: get takeout, dine in, purchase gift certificates or a subscription service, or whatever they are offering during this pandemic. And then you can go that one step further. “Take the time to send them an encouraging note or make a social media post to encourage others to buy from that restaurant,” Kim said.
#DoughSomething Makes an Impact
The #DoughSomething campaign runs throughout May 2021, and the group will be giving a panel on May 24. Monica Eng from WBEZ Chicago will moderate a frank discussion about race, identity and the restaurant industry, featuring renowned chefs Nyesha Arrington, Erik Bruner-Yang, Brandon Jew, Kim and Preeti Mistry.
“We should get away from ghettoizing Asian cuisine and stop calling only European centric food as ‘American’ and redefine what ‘American’ food actually means,” said Kim. “Otherwise, it contributes to the idea that Asian cuisine America is perpetually foreign.”
Speak up, Take Action
The Washington Post reported in March that Andy Kim, president of the Korean American Restaurant Association’s Atlanta-based southern chapter, said that since the mass shooting at three Atlanta spas, members have seen a dramatic decline in customers dining in, opting instead for to-go and delivery options for fear of being in public.
The restaurant association set up a hotline for restaurant workers that offers interpretations and other resources, should they encounter troubling issues. Details about the association and its programs can be found here.
Andy Kim said the day after the rampage back in March, two men entered a Duluth Korean restaurant, loudly asking if staff gave massages before walking out and laughing. “A lot of Asians, in our culture, they do not express their own feelings. We just keep it inside, suffer and are patient through it,” he told the Post. “If we don’t speak out and keep it as it is, then more people will get hurt, and they will get killed.”
For more information on Asian Americans Advancing Justice visit AdvancingJustice.org. The organization is a national affiliation of five organizations advocating for the civil and human rights of Asian Americans and other underserved communities to promote a fair and equitable society.
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