On the occasion of Heritage Month for Asia-American and Pacific Islanders, Facebook is rolling out some features and taking some initiatives after increasing violence and hatred against Asians and Pacific Islanders (API). The company also sheds light on the impact and diversity of the community.
In May, Facebook users in the US will see a #StopAsianHate notification at the top of the news feed. You can tap to donate to API groups dealing with discrimination and hate. Facebook made its own $ 5 million donation to organizations that advocate racial justice and equality for the API community and other marginalized groups. The donation follows pledges made by Facebook last summer of $ 10 million in grants for racial justice and $ 200 million in support of black-owned businesses and organizations.
The company is expanding its comment alert system to discourage people from using malicious language and letting them know how certain terms can affect the API community. Given the surge in anti-Asian racism and its potential mental health implications, Facebook has partnered with several organizations (including the Asian American Psychological Association) to encourage people to discuss their mental wellbeing.
You can use stickers and avatar phrases on Facebook, and filters and stickers on Instagram to show support for the API community. There are also camera stickers on Messenger and those on WhatsApp, which, according to Facebook, were designed by illustrator Gracia Lam to “highlight the strength of women from Asia and the Pacific Islands”.
Elsewhere, Facebook will present its own API companies in shop collections and the “Shops You May Like” function as well as the @shop account on Instagram. There will also be a streaming special on Facebook Watch called “See Us Unite For Change”. Ken Jeong will host the special where APIs public figures will discuss the impact the community has on the US and how to stand up against hatred.
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