We grieve and rage with you over the murders of Soon Chung Park, Hyun Jung Grant, Suncha Kim, Yong Ae Yue, Xiaojie Tan, Daoyou Feng, Delaina Ashley Yaun, and Paul Andre Michels. We know this violence is inextricably linked to the long history and recent surge of anti-Asian racism. To our Asian American and Asian immigrant friends, families, clients, and colleagues: We see you. We see your pain. We grieve with you and will fight alongside you for a world where members of all Asian communities – particularly those that labor at the margins – can live fully and free.
Our AAPI colleagues across the sector shared calls to action that we support and amplify:
- If you’re in philanthropy, see Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy and Native Americans in Philanthropy’s calls for the philanthropic sector to act.
- If you’re in government or nonprofit, see the 40+ Asian American and Asian immigrant Bay Area organizations’ calls in February for cities to act.
- For all individuals, see Stop AAPI Hate’s longstanding calls for individuals to act.
Our parent organization, Share Our Strength, released the following statement, which you can also see here.
“In recent weeks, we’ve been reminded of the significant harm caused by racism and hate in so many of our communities. As an organization that fights for an end to hunger and poverty in the United States and abroad, we stand in solidarity with all organizations calling for an end to the racial violence that has plagued far too many communities of color since our country’s inception. Two nights ago, eight people in Georgia, six of them Asian women, were senselessly killed. While investigators have laid out one narrative based on the perpetrator’s testimony, racism cannot be ruled out – this incident shines a bright light on the on-going anti-Asian violence and harassment that has not just risen during COVID but has deep historical roots in our country. We have heard the voices of our brothers and sisters in the Asian community who live in a state of fear for their lives on a daily basis.
From the beginning of the pandemic, more than 3,700 reports of anti-Asian hate and violence have been tracked, including over 400 physical assaults, by Stop AAPI Hate. These incidents have been reported in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. According to a Pew Research study, three in 10 Asian-Americans have experienced racial slurs or racist jokes since the start of the pandemic. While this might seem like a new reality to some, this builds on the shameful history of violence that far too many communities of color have faced for years.
Share our Strength recognizes the connection between fighting to end hunger and poverty is tightly connected to fighting for racial and social justice in our communities. We stand against all forms of bigotry, hate, racism and discrimination. We also understand that many in our communities are afraid for their lives and call for an end to anti-Asian hate, xenophobia and all forms of violence impacting Asian members of our community. We stand in solidarity with everyone working for racial justice and ask all to join us toward making a commitment to justice, peace and unity.”
About the graphic: The image, “Solidarity 2,” was created by Shyama Kuver and made available on Amplifier Art. View the full image here.
