Fostering Asian American Emerging Adults’ Advocacy Against Anti-Black Racism Through Digital Storytelling

Abstract

We tested whether a digital storytelling video on anti-Black racism could improve empathic reactions to anti-Black racism and decrease fear of Black individuals (FBI) among Asian American emerging adults, and whether these changes were associated with greater anti-racism advocacy intentions. Asian American emerging adults ( Mage = 19.92; N = 205) were randomly assigned to view either storytelling or informational online videos. Data was collected before and after viewing the videos. The changes in empathic reactions and fear were analyzed using polynomial regression with response surface analysis. Those who viewed the storytelling video significantly increased their empathy and this change was significantly associated with greater individual anti-racism advocacy (IndAdv) and institutional anti-racism advocacy (IntAdv). Reductions in fear were not associated with greater advocacy. The informational video did not improve empathy but did decrease fear, which was associated with greater IndAdv. Therefore, digital storytelling videos may be a useful tool to promote advocacy against anti-Black racism.

Introduction to the Special Issue: Dismantling Anti-Black Racism and Counseling Psychology

“…The third and fourth articles turn their attention to advocacy, resistance, and intersectionality as they apply to aspects of anti-Black racism. Keum et al (2024) outline the role of storytelling as a mechanism for reducing anti-Black racism among Asian emerging adults. By noting both the unity that has existed between Asian and Black communities in combating racism, as well as the presence of anti-Black racism in Asian communities as a function of White supremacy, Keum et al provide results of a quantitative examination of the effects of exposure to digital storytelling in facilitating empathy, reducing fearful attitudes, and promoting anti-racism advocacy among a sample of emerging Asian adults.…”