podcast: Episode 9 - Washington Roundtable
Massage Parlor Outreach Project works to build worker power through organizing and leadership development to provide support for migrant Asian massage parlor workers, sex workers, and care workers in the greater Seattle area.
MPOP was formed in 2018, recognizing that there were many massage parlors in the community where workers were stigmatized by other local businesses. Outreach to these workers was difficult, as they often had limited English, non-English speaking social networks and many immigration-related barriers to accessing mainstream American society.
After the Seattle Police Department raided 11 massage parlors in King County in 2019, with many similar raids across the U.S., MPOP renewed outreach to Chinatown and International District massage parlors with the distribution of zines with culturally relevant information about the current political environment and legal and language support as well as mutual aid resources. Following the tragic shooting in Atlanta targeting Asian spas, MPOP held a community vigil in collaboration with local grassroots organizers and nonprofits. Currently, MPOP is building new initiatives to increase worker leadership and power.
The work is largely divided into four categories:
Worker Outreach: MPOP conducts bimonthly outreach events for massage parlors in order to establish relationships and build community with and among workers. They create zines with culturally relevant content, political education, and surveys to disseminate during outreach. Outreach also provides opportunities to learn about worker needs and generate support systems to address those needs. MPOP has coordinated access to English lessons, legal and language support, COVID relief, and vaccination support.
Oral History Project: Recognizing the intersections of oppressions that many Asian massage parlor and sex workers face, MPOP works toward creating cultural shifts that address the root causes of violence of racism, sexism, classism, and imperialism both overseas and locally. The oral history project seeks to document the lived experiences of workers, dispel harmful stereotypes, and uplift storytelling as a tool for connection and community-building.
Advocacy: MPOP is committed to ongoing community education and dialogues surrounding worker advocacy, cultural and linguistic access, and labor and immigration rights.
Zines: Explore zines published by MPOP here.
Source: Massage Parlor Outreach Project