In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, I created this illustration that shows a solidarity of cultures coming together to raise awareness or the rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans. 

"Isang Bagsak", in Tagalog translates to "one down" or "one fall". We carry this saying so that we and our allies know that when one of us falls, we all fall together. I remember learning about this saying during the Pilipino Youth Conference (PYC) years ago and it stuck with me ever since. If I remember correctly, it was started in the 60's during the United Farmworkers Movement to unify the Filipinx and Latinx migrant workers as they fought for their rights together.

"Starting slow, like the pace of a heartbeat, the clap would grow faster, stronger, and louder. Eventually building up to a chorus of applause, someone cries out "ISANG BAGSAK!" to signal a unified front - to fall and rise together - before ending with a final, collective clap."

This is exactly how I feel about seeing communities come together towards change...ISANG BAGSAK👏

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I teamed up with The Home Depot to create an illustration that exemplifies the the same spirit of my Isang Bagsak piece and designed it in a way that celebrates the creative spirit of the many cultures of Asia.