ILLUMINATED Is a Beautiful Webcomic That Highlights the Importance of Listening to Asian Voices

88rising, alongside WEBTOON and Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC recently released the webcomic series ILLUMINATED. ILLUMINATED tells the stories of music artists Stephanie Poetri, Wolftyla, mxmtoon, and Olympic figure skater Mirai Nagasu.

Each episode of the series focuses on one of the four women and breaks down their experiences, particularly in the wake of the increase in violence against the Asian community. Each story is open and, at times, painfully honest, each woman discussing their fears of dealing with that level of hostility, how discrimination against the Asian community has existed long before the push to #StopAsianHate, and the importance of acknowledging what’s going on so we can work to do better.

“We know from reports to the Asian Americans Advancing Justice coalition’s Stand Against Hatred website that women are disproportionately impacted by anti-Asian hate and harassment,” says Marita Etcubañez, Advancing Justice | AAJC’s senior director of strategic initiatives. “Asian American women face the daily reality of multiple layers of marginalization, often having to confront not just racism or sexism, but the intersection of both. We are proud to collaborate with WEBTOON and 88Rising for this important effort to center the voices of Asian  women in such a meaningful and creative way.”