Anti-Asian hate crimes are up 717% in Vancouver. Unfortunately, many hate crimes go unreported, so this figure may be higher than stated.

It is up to all of us to eliminate hate crimes, racism and discrimination. There is no place for it.

If You Witness Hate:

1. Assess your safety FIRST: Is it safe for you to say or do something? Your safety is key to be a good witness.
2. Focus on the victim: IF IT IS SAFE, engage the victim in conversation, ask if they are okay or if they would like some assistance. This will let the perpetrator know that the victim is not alone.
3. Engage others: IF IT IS SAFE, engage other witnesses. Talk to others in the space to gather support for the victim. There is power in numbers.
4. Document: IF IT IS SAFE, document the incident by taking a photo or video of the incident or making notes. Keep a safe distance and note the time, day and location. Always ask the victim what they want to do with the photo or video and don’t post it online without their permission.
5. When it is safe: Ask the victim if they would like assistance to report the incident to police or connect with Victim Link.

If You Experience Hate:

1. Ask for help. If you are in a public place and are being verbally or physically attacked, let others close by know you need help.
2. Document: If it is safe, make a record of the incident by taking a photo or video of the perpetrator or the incident, or ask someone to do this for you. Note the time, day and location.
3. Report it.
4. Find Support: Contact Victim Link for confidential, multilingual crisis support and information and referrals.

The above steps are from Hate Crimes in BC.

Further Resources:

Chinese Canadian Historical Society of BC Resources

Hate Crimes in BC Resources

Stop APPI Hate

UBC Department of Asian Studies Resources

Last Updated: 18-Mar-2021

By Callista Ottoni, PhD Student, University of British Columbia

Twitter: @CallistaAnne

How do WESN members maintain their physical and social health during the COVID-19 pandemic? This question was top of mind when I had the great pleasure to interview 31 WESN members in the spring and summer of 2020. Based on those interviews and published research here are 7 tips:

1. Call someone to be your activity buddy:

Research shows that being accountable helps you stay active. Recruit a friend (on the phone), with whom you will share your physical activity goals for the week. If safety protocols permit, bundle up and go on a physically distanced walk together. Or, just schedule a call to check-in on your progress. You can also consider joining a free program like Choose to Move that links you up with a coach and peers to help keep you motivated: https://www.choosetomove.ca/ WESN will run Choose to Move programs in 2021 – stay tuned!

2. Structure your day

We all know the days can blur into one. Now that many days are dark and rainy, it may be especially tough to get out of your PJs. Research suggests that simple things like getting dressed in the morning, and eating at sleeping at similar times each day can benefit our health over the longer term. 

3. Help make someone else’s day brighter

WESN members spoke passionately about their love of volunteering and helping others—it sparked joy for all. With many volunteer programs on pause, they are thinking creatively about how to be of service: volunteer to call those seniors most at-risk of isolation, leave food on a neighbour’s doorstep, entertain children of friends and family via FaceTime, e-mail or write and mail a letter to an old friend. These are just a few examples of the small gestures that can make a huge difference in someone else’s day.

4. Discover a new educational courses online

One silver lining of the pandemic is that there are more educational classes available online than ever before – many of them are free! Some WESN members had tapped into Coursera—a platform developed by Stanford Professors to access 1000s of university classes, many for free! Others tuned into YouTube for stretching, exercise, and relaxation classes. Enter a key phrase into YouTube’s search bar, such as, “free online exercise programs for seniors.” Read the results, and pick one that looks right for you.

5. Start a new hobby or resume an old one

WEN members have diverse interests. I heard how Photography, opera singing, baking, playing musical instruments, and even practicing the splits were some of your hobbies. Participants explained how a regularly practiced creative outlet helped them find purpose and added pleasure to their day. To maximize fun, many enjoyed the process rather than worrying about the perfect outcome.  

6. Relax your breath.

This may seem simple, but stressful circumstances can lead to shortened breath — this affects your whole body. Being mindful of our breath can relax our nervous system and increase calm. Participants talked about how 5 minutes of mediation or journaling in the morning helped get their day on the right track. 

Try this:

1. Find a comfortable seated position

2. Put one hand on your chest and one on your abdomen

3. Take a few slow breathes in and out. Feel both your chest and belly expand.

4. If you don’t feel dizzy (in which case stop immediately and resume normal breathing), trying breathing in while counting to 4 in your head, then breathe out while counting to 4 in your head.

7. Stay Connected with your Friends and Family

Aside from keeping active, research shows that keeping socially connected is vital for our wellbeing. Keeping physical distance from others does not mean you must be disconnected. Make a list of people that you love connecting with regularly- or someone who you would like to catch-up with- and give them a call! If you have a regular coffee date with a friend, keep it up by sharing a cup of joe over the phone or via video chat. Have you ever been to a virtual dinner date? Cook the same meal as a friend or family member simultaneously, and enjoy it together virtually. If you are struggling and feel lonely, know WESN has peer support services available. Don’t hesitate to reach out: call or email 604-669-7339, [email protected]. 

Remember, people care, and we are all in this together. 

Racism is an issue that impacts people in Canada, in Vancouver, and in our local community. The West End Seniors’ Network (WESN) opposes racism and discrimination in all forms and stands in solidarity with those who are and have been affected by it.

WESN’s mission is to enhance the quality of life of older adults by providing social, recreational, educational and supportive programs and services that foster connection and inclusion in the broader community. Inclusion is a key word and value. We strive to be a safe place for individuals of all backgrounds and all sexual orientations to participate in the community and live with a high quality of life.

Humans are social creatures. We are stronger together. One of the best things you can do during these times of heightened awareness of racism and calls for change is to educate yourself. Learn about the racism that exists today, learn about the history of racism towards Indigenous, Asian, Black, and other minority groups, learn about the organizations that are dedicated to fighting racism, and learn about what you can do to support the cause. 

Please see below for select resources with information about the Black Lives Matter movement, how you can support the fight against racism, and local organizations that support marginalized populations.

Black Lives Matter (BLM) Vancouver works in solidarity with other BLM chapters across North America. They work to celebrate people of colour, uplift marginalized people, and undo systemic racialized violence.

https://blacklivesmatter.com/

Hogans Alley Society is a non-profit organization that advocates for Black Vancouverites and Black history in Vancouver throughout BC. They aim to preserve and promote the historical, cultural, societal and economic contributions made by Black Settlers and their descendants to Vancouver. Their current projects include a 52-unit temporary housing development, a cultural centre, and a Black Experience Project.

https://www.hogansalleysociety.org/

National Congress of Black Women Foundation is a registered charity that provides activities and programs to foster advancement of health and education of black women and their families. They offer educational opportunities, employment services, cultural associations, and more.

http://www.ncbwf.org/what-we-do.html#ourwork

Battered Women’s Support Services provide education, support, and advocacy for women who have suffered abuse or violence. They offer Indigenous, LGBTQ2S, Black Women’s, and Latin American Women’s programs. They operate a 24/7 Crisis Line at 604-687-186 for women dealing with violence/effects of abuse.

Domestic violence COVID 19 quarantine support at Battered Women’s Support Services

Educational Webinars 

The Canadian Race Relations Foundation hosts webinars on topics related to racism and multiculturalism in Canada.

https://www.crrf-fcrr.ca/en/programs/webinars

Vancouver Dialogues: First Nations, Urban Aboriginal and Immigrant Communities is a compilation of memories and oral histories of Vancouver’s First Nations, urban Aboriginal and immigrant communities who have taken different journeys to create a home in Vancouver.

https://vancouver.ca/files/cov/dialogues-project-book.pdf

UBC’s Department of Asian Studies provides anti-racism links to resources, news stories, opinion pieces, and scholarly articles on race in Asian, or in Asian diaspora communities.

https://asia.ubc.ca/about/department-initiatives/anti-racism-resources/

VictimLinkBC is a multilingual and confidential telephone service available 24/7 across BC. They offer information and referral services to victims of crime including counselling resources. Call toll-free at 1-800-563-0808 or email [email protected].

How to Report a Hate Crime

For emergency situations including attacks, assaults and threats: Call 9-1-1 and state that you are reporting a hate crime.

For non-emergency situations including graffiti, vandalism and hate propaganda: Contact the BC Hate Crimes at 1-855-462-5733 (toll free) or email [email protected].