Resilient Voices: Overcoming Trauma & Anti-Asian Hate in the US (Short Version)

On January 11th, 2023, an Asian student was viciously attacked by a stranger, a stark reflection of the surge in anti-Asian sentiment.

This video delves into the aftermath of the attack, highlighting the resilience of the Asian community and the unifying power of music to overcome trauma.

Featuring advocates such as Helen Zia, journalist and founder of the Vincent Chin Institute, and through personal stories, community responses, and the production of "Silent Theater"—a musical piece born out of defiance and hope—the video underscores the enduring fight against racism and the importance of speaking up and standing together.

These efforts received significant support from Direct Relief's Fund for Health Equity, which addresses disparities in health outcomes by backing community-led efforts to overcome systemic barriers to well-being.

Support from Direct Relief was vital in helping the Vincent Chin Institute establish a network to respond rapidly to hate incidents across America, focusing on assisting Asian American and Pacific Islander populations in regions with little or no support. It also helped fund the "Hope Not Hate" event and facilitated community outreach and resilience-building activities.

Since launching the Fund for Health Equity in 2021, Direct Relief has granted over $50 million to more than 150 organizations across the U.S.

Directed, Produced and Edited by Oliver Riley-Smith
Cinematography - William Jobe
Music - Silent Theater, composed by Daixuan Ai
Additional footage - Matthew Champagne
Featuring: Helen Zia, Daixuan Ai, Melanie Castillo-Cullather, Melissa May Borja
Special thanks to Hoosier Asian American Power, IU Asian Culture CenterLearn more about Direct Relief's work at https://www.directrelief.org