Hope Against Hate Training 1
In May, Damayan member and worker leader, Alma Ramirez successfully defended herself from a possible attacker in an Asian supermarket in Union Turnpike, Queens, NY, making use of the tools she learned in the Hope Against Hate Training that she recently attended.
Alma was shopping for groceries when a woman snapped at her, and started talking to her angrily. Alma, having learned to discern the signals that may potentially lead to a violent attack from the training, immediately distanced herself and started speaking Chinese to the grocery store workers, in an attempt to dissuade the woman from further verbally harassing her. She waited for the woman to leave the supermarket before she went back home.
“Noong nakauwi ako, doon ako kinabahan. Sumilip ako sa bintana baka kasi sinundan ako. Takot na takot at namumula ako. Buti na lang naalala ko yung mga turo ni Kalaya’an Mendoza. Magandang um-attend ako ng training kasi nagkaroon ako ng lakas loob sa mga ganoong sitwasyon (When I got home, I was nervous. I peeked out the window as I was afraid I was being followed. I was going red in fear. Fortunately, I remembered the teachings of Kalaya'an Mendoza. It's good that I attended the training because I found the courage in such situations).” Alma expressed.
Alma was one of the many Damayan members who attended the Hope Against Hate Situational Awareness and De-escalation Training facilitated by Kalaya’an Mendoza of Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) in The People’s Forum in Manhattan two weekends ago.
Over 40 attendees took part in this first of a three-part Hope Against Hate training series, which is part of Damayan’s strategic response to the growing anti-Asian hate that is plaguing the community in New York City, with the support of the Asian American Federation (AAF).
Waves of Anti-Asian hate crimes have severely put members of our community in danger and in deep fear. Women, including the elderly, who work as domestic workers, caregivers, and nannies traverse the city streets daily to go to work and are most vulnerable to attacks, spurred by misogynistic and scapegoating rhetoric that has begun with the previous administration and whose effects can still be felt today.
Nonviolent Peaceforce, an organization that aims to protect civilians in violent conflicts through unarmed strategies with local communities, is a partner in this training series that aims to equip our members with awareness, practical knowledge, and skills that may just save a life in danger. Nonviolent Peaceforce’s Director of Programs, Kalayaan Mendoza, a Filipino-American, facilitated a safe space for discussion where members shared their fears and struggles against these violent attacks, allowing the members to feel they are not alone as well as fostering a sense of community within the members that encouraged them to always be vigilant for themselves, and for others. Mendoza also gave a thorough and highly-engaging presentation on what to do in situations where you feel unsafe, how to access your crisis decision-making tools when responding to potential danger, and intervening and de-escalation techniques that can help you and others around you. While hate may continue to roam the streets, Damayan has and will continue to work together with the community to fight anti-Asian hate, equipping our members with awareness, practical knowledge, and skills.
“The training was so informative and crucial to the present time, and the presentation was so clear and practical. I’ve learned that there are other safe ways of reacting to dangerous situations like hate crimes, and that being aware of the situation and having the right mindset would help prevent adverse reactions to a delicate situation”, Damayan member Aurea shares.
Besides the training, the event also featured NYC Care sign-ups, updates on the Protections for Domestic Workers in NYC, and the recently-concluded Philippine National Elections. The get-together ended on a high note with a birthday cake-blowing for May celebrants, and a Mother’s Day celebration, where Damayan offered a rose to all Nanay attendees.
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