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Staying Apart, Together: This week was heavy. Here’s how we can help bring a bit of light

Sara M Moniuszko   | Paste BN

There have been many weeks throughout the pandemic that have felt especially heavy – and this week was one of them.

On Tuesday night, eight people, most of them women of Asian descent, were killed in three shootings at Atlanta-area spas. 

The events have prompted long overdue conversations on social media, and some Asian women have been sharing their experiences with discrimination.

That's been at the front of my mind all week, especially when I heard from several Asian-American women about the fear they feel after witnessing and experiencing violence and harassment as well as the trauma it can lead to. 

You can read my full story here.

And if you need extra support during this time, we wrote about how to pursue virtual therapy and other mental health resources. 

If there is a bit of light to the darkness of this week, it’s in the power of women who are speaking up to share their experiences and the voices joining them to fight for change. It makes me hopeful one day things will change. 

Until that day comes, however, it’s important to do what we can to be allies. That's what I am trying to do. 

How to be an ally 

If you’re also looking for ways to become a better ally to the Asian and Asian-American community, my colleague David Oliver rounded up some key ways you can help, from donating to organizing.

Here are some tips:

Get proper training. Hollaback!, an organization working to end harassment, is working with Asian Americans Advancing Justice on free bystander intervention training geared to aiding the Asian and Asian American communities. You can sign up here for that as well as conflict de-escalation training.

Follow safety tips. Stop AAPI Hate recommends these safety steps if you are a witness to anti-Asian racism, including: 

  • Take action. Go to the targeted person and offer support. 
  • Actively listen. Before you do anything, ask – and then respect the targeted person's response. If need be, keep an eye on the situation.
  • Offer emotional support. Find out how the targeted person is feeling and help them determine what to do next.

Learn about more ways to help by clicking here.

Need a virtual escape?

If the weight of this week was a bit much, join me in taking a little virtual getaway to Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas, which turned 100 this week!

Nestled in the lush, green hills of central Arkansas lies a 5,500-acre national park where history and conservation meet tourism and urban living, writes my colleague Misty Castile from Fort Smith Times Record.

"It's a bustling city with no direct interstate access. A place where urban development of the city that grew up around the park nestles next to the natural beauty of the landscape and bits of history that shaped our country." 

Located 50 miles southwest of Little Rock, Hot Springs National Park is a unique entry in the national park system.

Who else is feeling more peaceful already?

To read Misty's full story (and take a virtual photo tour of the park), click here.

Today's reads

Today's pet

Meet Mollie.

"Mollie saw her first snow fall in January, and I was able to get some great photos!" says Maria Tolleson from Texas. "She didn’t enjoy this last storm because it wasn’t nice fluffy snow, it was thick sheets of ice!"

Thanks for reading! You'll be hearing from Kelly Lawler again on Tuesday. Until then, remember you can send pet photos, coping tips, TV thoughts and anything else to stayingaparttogether@usatoday.com. 

Wishing you all the best,

Sara Moniuszko

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