Today, we are mourning alongside Atlanta in the aftermath of the tragic and horrific violence against Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. This time, it’s Atlanta; however, like a cancer, this violence has been slowly spreading across the United States. Enough is enough! Although few details have been released about the alleged suspect in the Atlanta shootings, we do know that he is a white male, and we are deeply troubled by the increased violence against AAPI people. These acts of violence have historical roots, and we pledge to fight against all forms of hate as we work to address systemic racism and all of the ways it incites violence and discrimination against people of color. We pledge our continued solidarity and support of our AAPI community, and we will continue to engage in self-reflection, education, and action to ensure that our AAPI staff, Corps Members, families and community members feel welcome, valued and supported.
Below are several resources, including a recent op-ed in the New York Times on this topic, that you may find useful in your own efforts to support AAPI communities:
What This Wave of Anti-Asian Violence Reveals About America
In response to the alarming escalation in xenophobia and anti-Asian violence resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Asian Pacific Planning and Policy Council (A3PCON), Chinese for Affirmative Action (CAA), and the Asian American Studies Department of San Francisco State University launched the Stop AAPI Hate reporting center on March 19, 2020. The center tracks and responds to incidents of hate, violence, harassment, discrimination, shunning, and child bullying against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States.
Movement Hub is a centralized platform created to amplify the on-the-ground activism and organizing within Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities across the country. This platform offers resources for and by AAPI community organizations to promote cross racial unity and civic participation for realizing systemic and structural change.
We encourage you to utilize these resources, and engage in efforts to protect and uplift AAPI individuals in your own communities.
In Community,
Naila Bolus
President & CEO
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