On the Atlanta Shootings & #StopAsianHate
On March 16, a mass shooter targeted three spas in Atlanta, Georgia and took the lives of eight people. Six of the victims were women of Asian descent. The Korean Consulate of Atlanta has confirmed that four of the victims were ethnic Koreans.
We are horrified and shaken by this act of senseless violence, and especially so in light of the surge of anti-Asian discrimination and hate incidents across the United States. Since the pandemic broke out in the US last year, Asian American communities have faced not only the virus, but also racism and xenophobia. People in the Asian American community are fearful and hypervigilant in the face of such attacks and bigotry.
Though the mainstream narrative is focusing on the killer's motivation as purely sexist and sexually-charged in nature, we must not forget that racism, misogyny, and xenophobia are often intertwining forms of bigotry. This is not an isolated incident of a mentally-unstable, lonely young man who chose to commit mass-murder in response to being rejected by society. This unspeakable tragedy is part of a broader pattern of heightened discrimination that our community has faced since the COVID-19 pandemic started last year, one that has unfortunately resulted in the deaths of innocent people.
We condemn this act of violence, extend our condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims, and demand that the xenophobia and discrimination come to an end.
Working Towards Community-Based Solutions
KAAGNY, an organization representing and advocating for the Korean American community in the Tri-State Area, seeks to build solidarity with other community groups to work towards tangible and effective change in the fight to #StopAsianHate.
Thursday, March 18 - KAAGNY President Charles Yoon will be attending Reverend Al Sharpton and the National Action Network's press conference to denounce the rise in attacks against the Asian American community. Asian American leaders and local elected officials will be gathering to build solidarity and raise awareness of the heightened discrimination. MORE INFO HERE
Thursday, March 25 - KAAGNY will be hosting an anti-racism webinar with Rep. Grace Meng and community leaders representing the Black, Latinx, Jewish, and Asian communities in New York City. Moderated by Hannah Y. Kim (Former Chief of Staff/Communications Director to Rep. Charlie Rangel), leaders from KAAGNY, the American Jewish Council, Hispanic Federation, NAACP, and Asian American Federation will be in attendance.
Conversations on Community-Based Solutions Against Racism, Discrimination, and Hate
With Rep. Grace Meng and Community Leaders Representing the Black, Latinx, Jewish, and Asian Communities in NYC
Thursday, March 25, 2021 from 12 to 1PM
Streaming Live via Zoom and YouTube
