#22 Activism, direct action, and expressing solidarity with Kalaya’an Mendoza

Yellow Glitter

In this powerful episode, I’m joined by Kalaya’an Mendoza, a nonviolent direct action trainer and disaster preparedness expert, to talk about the current climate and advice for those who headed out to protest in the streets. We chat about how we can show solidarity with Black folx and addressing racism within our Asian community.

Kalaya’an Mendoza (he/him) is a nonviolent direct action trainer, Disaster Preparedness expert recognized by TIME Magazine and has spent the last twenty years of his life fighting for social justice on Turtle Island and around the world alongside Human Rights Defenders in the Global South.

In this episode we talk about:

• The current social situation and what is happening all around the US
• Why Black lives matter
• How he discovered activism in high school
• The importance of activism on the streets and behind the keyboard
• Tips on how to prepare for going out into the streets
• Using OODA (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act) loops
• Doing the work in our communities and in our Asian families
• What are some common issues affecting first-time protesters?
• Taking care of yourself to take care of the community
• Never showing up empty-handed
• His experience protesting in Beijing and facing possible death
• What does it mean to be in solidarity with Black folx
• Addressing racism in the Asian community
• How to connect with our friends and family to have these tough conversations

People we mentioned on the show:

• Mia Mingus (disability activist)
• Alice Wong (disability activist)
• Alicia Garza (Black Lives Matter)
• Patrisse Cullors (Black Lives Matter)

You can find Kalaya’an on Instagram (@kalamendoza) and Twitter (@kalamendoza) and his email [e-mail]

Check out his nonprofit Across Front Lines at acrossfrontlines.org.

You can follow me at:

• Instagram (instagram.com/stevenwakabayashi)
• YouTube (youtube.com/stevenwakabayashi)
• Weekly Newsletter (mindfulmoments.substack.com)