LET’S GATHER TOGETHER AT THE TABLE

An important message from @lienyeung, award-winning multimedia host and producer of CBC Vancouver News Saturdays and Sundays:

“From miso glazes to line-ups for dim sum, Vancouver’s food culture would be unrecognizable without the many contributions from Asian cuisines. Looking around, you’d think racism doesn’t happen here, but anti-Asian hate crimes rose 717% in a year in Vancouver — and that’s likely underreported.

Prejudice and bigotry aren’t new. You don’t have to be violently attacked to feel like an outsider. Even after generations of our families working heads down to lay roots, we are reminded that we still don’t belong.

“You cannot love our food, but remain silent when our communities are under attack. We are hurting. Stand with us and take action against racism and hate. Speak out and support those who do.”

We’ll be making a $250 donation on Lien’s behalf to The Vancouver Asian Film Festival Society’s (@vaffvancouver) charitable arm known as @elimin8hate, which provides an anonymous and safe reporting environment for Canadians of Asian ancestry experiencing racial attacks, consolidates public resources in an accessible format to victims and utilizes reported data for actionable change.

Stand tall. Stay strong. Show love. Support local.