Why We Need Asian-Black Solidarity Against Police Violence – In a Heartbreaking Comic

This comic was originally published in the Artists Against Police Brutality Comics Anthology and republished here with the artists’ permission.

(Content Warning: Police brutality, racist violence)

“Even after Michael Brown and Eric Garner and Akai Gurley?”

This comic, “Dear Brother,” starts out in a way many of us can relate to – a playful, loving relationship between young siblings.

But as these Asian American sister and brother grow into adults, life takes a heart-wrenching turn and the comic makes an important point about the importance of Asian solidarity in the movement against police brutality.

This brings to mind cases like Peter Liang’s killing of Akai Gurley and Jeronimo Yanez’s killing of Philando Castile. It also shows how the everyday circumstances of the world we live in can contribute to everyday people’s roles in white supremacy and anti-black racism.

“Dear Brother” was created by educator and cartoonist Kayan Cheung-Maw. It appears in the 2015 collection APB: Artists Against Police Brutality Comics Anthology, the proceeds of which support the Innocence Project for wrongfully convicted people.

With Love,
The Editors at Everyday Feminism

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Kayan Cheung-Miaw is from Hong Kong and New York, and comes from a family of garment and restaurant workers. Her work as the lead organizer for the Yank Sing restaurant workers’ campaign resulted in a historic $4 million settlement for 280 workers. Comics is her favorite medium because she considers it an art for the people. You can check out her work atkayancheung.tumblr.com.