#StopAsianHate
It’s time for us to speak up and stand up for the Asian community.
“Go back to China.”
“Where are you really from?”
“Do you even speak English?”
“Ching Chong”
“Don’t speak Chinese. This is America. We speak English here.”
These types of racist comments just touch the surface of the racism I have endured over the years even though I was born and raised in San Francisco. Like most Asian American families, growing up, I was taught to stay in my lane, to not draw attention to myself, to keep my mouth shut.
However, I can no longer stay silent.
Hate against Asian Americans is nothing new in America, but seeing the rise in xenophobia, abuse, and violence against Asian Americans this past year for simply breathing is disturbing, appalling, upsetting, and saddening.
Seeing all the hate crimes that have occurred this week alone, alongside the lack of empathy, has been painful and infuriating. On Tuesday, March 16th, 8 people, including 6 Asian women, were murdered in Atlanta. However, in a press conference led by Cherokee County Sheriff’s Captain Jay Baker, we were told the murder suspect was having “a really bad day” and had “sex addiction issues.” Instead of addressing the clear misogyny, racism, and white supremacy behind the suspect’s actions, the police chief chose to humanize and empathize with the suspect.
What about the victims who were murdered? Their family and friends? All the Asian Americans who now have to live in fear everyday because of the suspect?
When you are having a “bad day,” you do not go out and murder people. When you have “sex addiction issues,” you do not go to Asian-owned spas and shoot their disproportionately Asian employees. We need to call what happened on Tuesday for what it is — an anti-Asian hate crime, a premeditated act of domestic terrorism against Asian women.
There is no place for microaggressions and violence against the Asian community. Hatred, discrimination, and racism is not okay. Hate crimes should not be the norm. We should not have to live in fear of becoming the next target. I should not be telling my friends and family to carry pocket knives, tasers, or pepper spray when they go out in order to protect themselves.
Seeing constant reports of anti-Asian hate crimes is truly heartbreaking. Understanding and digesting the reality of the America we as Asian Americans live in today is saddening and upsetting. What is happening right now is not fine. This is not normal. This is not a joke.
PLEASE reach out to your AAPI friends and colleagues to support them in these troubling times. Educate yourselves on the history of anti-Asian violence and racism in America. Donate to AAPI organizations and campaigns. Use your voices and platforms to speak up. What we need right now is unity and support. #StopAsianHate
Resources you can use and share:
From Wonsulting:
From Chloe Shih, colorsofchloe@gmail.com:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DKLjh26g5vkuCVDnLeS5X4ElgT7Q1uT8ihlqQefP-no/edit?usp=sharing
