California is making historic investments to fight racial inequalities and curb rising hate incidents against Asian communities in the state.

The way lawmakers have framed the importance of checking the Chinese government has raised concerns from activists and foreign policy experts who worry that the rhetoric and tone of such efforts will further stoke already high anti-Asian sentiment.

"For California's 7 million non-English speaking residents, EDD continues to provide a critical economic lifeline amid the coronavirus pandemic," said Chinese for Affirmative Action economic justice manager Sally Chen.

The Asian Pacific Islander Equity budget, approved Monday by Gov. Gavin Newsom, gives $156 million to community groups to tackle the root causes of racism.

CHICAGO – Amid a dramatic rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic, the governor of Illinois signed a law Friday requiring public schools to teach a unit of Asian American history – a move education experts said is the first of its kind nationwide.

Attorney General Rob Bonda described the year as an “epidemic of hate” against the AAPI community as reports of hate crimes targeting Asian Americans increased 107%.The wave peaked in March and April, at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a report from his office.

In addition to concerns for physical safety, Asian Americans are saying rising incidents of anti-Asian hate during the pandemic are having a lasting impact on their mental health, well-being and future careers.

An investor-backed media group laid claim to the moniker of S.F.’s long-running Hyphen magazine, a part of CAA's AACRE coalition, sparking a conversation about writing over community history.