News
Statement on Tiki
We know this is overdue. This conversation is a long time coming from us. We’re white business owners who have on-and-off described our business as a Tiki bar, as well as served Asian-inspired food. When we laid the plans for Shore Leave we thought we could bring Tiki into a modern era, but in reality, some of these ideas are better left in the past. We realize we never should have engaged in these ideas and tropes and are committed to moving away from them.
As of now, you’ll notice we’ve removed references to Tiki from our website. When you join us again next you’ll notice we’ve gone through our playlists to find appropriate music that doesn’t fetishize the colonization of the Pacific Islands, and we’ve gone through our mug selection and have begun the process of parting ways with any mugs that represent racist, sexist, or colonial ideologies.
Shore Leave will remain our tropical escape that aims to make everyone feel like they’re on vacation. Our drinks and new food menu are inspired by the things you want to drink and snack on when you’re beach or poolside. Fun is the most important thing we’re serving up this summer.
We know this work is ongoing and are committed to continuing to disengage with and unlearn these ideas. We are committed to making a financial donation to stop AAPI hate. Moving forward, we’d hope that everyone feels comfortable at Shore Leave knowing that hate isn’t welcome here. We’re particularly saddened by the incredible surge in hate towards the Asian American and Pacific Islander community throughout the world right now, and we will continue to find ways to stand in solidarity with this community.
Shore Leave will be donating a portion of our monthly sales to Massachusetts Asian and Pacific Islanders for Health (https://www.maphealth.org/), to help in their mission to provide an inviting safe space where API LGBTQ+ youth can come together to find support, make friends, and learn how to lead healthy lives.
If you’re interested in learning more about the history of Tiki here are some resources that we’ve found clarity from:
Additionally, if you’re looking for ways to take action here are some great ways to get started, with thanks to the Revolutionary Love Project for sharing:
Check-in with family and friends in the AAPI community, listen to their stories, for as long they want to talk about it.
Contact your representatives and advocate for policies that thwart hate crimes and violence, and that support progress toward institutional anti-racism and justice for all.
If you see racism, say something. Strong allyship behavior needs to be modeled over and over again.
Donate to stopaapihate.org. Historically, less than 1% of philanthropic resources go to AAPI communities.
Donate to napawf.org, the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum, specifically their Atlanta chapter.
Get involved with groups like the Revolutionary Love Project who are helping to direct resources to victims’ families and organizers on the ground.
Report acts of AAPI hate on https://stopaapihate.org/