Anti-AAPI Hate Crime Webinar to Focus on Harada House Story

Published: 05/28/21

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

May 28, 2021

           

Contact:

Robyn G. Peterson

Museum Director

[email protected]

(951) 826-5792

 

 

Anti-AAPI Hate Crime Webinar to Focus on Harada House Story

 Webinar is co-hosted by the Museum of Riverside, Harada House Foundation, and Inlandia Institute

 

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) have spiked since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020.  Similar crimes have a long history in California, in particular, and are a symptom of the country’s wider challenges in the struggle against racism.

Building an awareness of this history and providing practical steps to respond effectively to anti-AAPI crime as it is occurring today are the twin purposes of a webinar to be held on Thursday, June 10, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. PST.  The webinar is grounded in the civil rights message central to the history of Harada House, a National Historic Landmark in Riverside.

Three Riverside-based organizations are collaborating to present a series of short presentations followed by a question-and-answer period.  The topic is set against the backdrop of the Harada House as a symbol of triumph over racism, perseverance, and social justice.  The Museum of Riverside, which is steward for Harada House, is supported by the Harada House Foundation and Inlandia Institute in presenting this free program.

In 1916 in Riverside, Japanese immigrant Jukichi Harada was criminally prosecuted in a racially motivated attempt to deny the Harada family their own home.  Panelists will consider what motivates discriminatory behavior and hate crimes.  They will reflect on differences between past and present crimes, consider the potential role of ethnic studies in battling racism, and offer practical ideas for all who wish to be part of the work to eliminate racism.  Participants will share personal experiences and a positive way forward. 

Panelists confirmed as of the date of this release include Kimberly Harada (Elementary education teacher, southern California), David Inoue (CEO, Japanese American Citizens League), Linda Leu (Executive Director, IMPACT Bay Area), Curtis Takada Rooks, Ph.D. (Assistant Professor, Loyola Marymount University), Mark Takano (U.S. House of Representatives, California District 41), and Carolee Tran, Ph.D. (Assistant Professor, UC-Davis).  The panel will be introduced by the City Manager of the City of Riverside Al Zelinka and moderated by Museum of Riverside Director Robyn G. Peterson, Ph.D.

Sign up for this online event here:  https://tinyurl.com/EndAAPIHate

 

About the Museum of Riverside:

The Museum of Riverside, a department of the city of Riverside, holds a large multi-disciplinary collection relevant to the history, culture, and natural science of the region.  Sites include the downtown Riverside main museum, Heritage House, Harada House, and Robinson House.  All sites are temporarily closed for renovation, rehabilitation, or in response to COVID-19.  The Museum has a proud history of exhibitions, programs, and publications foregrounding local and regional achievement. 

 

About the Harada House Foundation:

The Harada House Foundation generates support for the rehabilitation of Harada House so that it may be opened to the public as a civil rights monument and historic house museum.  The Foundation also pursues funding to support Harada House-related interpretation and programming, and aims to establish an endowment for long-term stewardship of the house.

About Inlandia Institute:

Inlandia Institute's mission is to recognize, support, and expand literary activity in all of its forms in Inland Southern California by publishing books and sponsoring programs that deepen people’s awareness, understanding, and appreciation of this unique, complex and creatively vibrant region.

For the latest information and resources regarding COVID-19 -- www.RiversideCA.gov/COVID-19