US Imperialism in West Asia: A Community Teach-In for Asian Americans

The Asian American Justice + Innovation Lab (AAJIL) invites Asian Americans to this space of political education centered around intersecting systems of oppression. The purpose of this space is to provide the historical context and political frameworks that are needed for us to meet this moment. They will use an analysis of U.S. imperialism as a foundation to see connections between various regions of the world and various chapters in global history.

They center and amplify the voices of Palestinian and SWANA (Southwest Asia and North Africa) educators and artists foremost, and also want to provide this space specifically for diaspora Asian community members who do not have deep ties to or deep knowledge of the SWANA region. This space is intended to ease the labor of education from people who are actively experiencing violence and to have Asian Americans come together for collective learning.

This is a hybrid event taking place in person in Los Angeles, CA (please check the Eventbrite link for in person tickets) with an option to tune-in via Zoom. They are holding this workshop to affirm the importance of political education while holding tender space for collective pain and grief.

The facilitator, Shengxiao Yu, often known by her nickname Sole, is a speaker, facilitator, writer, and social justice educator. She is the creator of Nectar, a space where she provides political education for the community through giving keynote speeches, facilitating workshops, and providing thought leadership. As a generation 1.5 Asian American, Sole is also working to build community among her fellow Asian Americans in order to build socio-political power and to lift up her lineage. Sole is inspired by BIPOC activists, grassroots community leaders, and all the intersectional movement ancestors who have paved the way.

At AAJIL, they believe in practicing a culture of mutual, relational generosity rather than a culture of the commodity. Please consider showing your gratitude and appreciation for Sole’s labor in offering this free learning opportunity by donating to Sole at Venmo: @shengxio_yu.