Sierra Health Foundation and The Center stand in solidarity with AAPI communities in mourning the lives of eight people, including six Asian women, in Atlanta and countless more lost to or harmed by racism and anti-Asian violence locally and across the country. We see you and we will always stand with you against hate.
The United States’ long history of violence against Asian Americans includes a recent dramatic rise in harassment, violence and discrimination. Reports have shown increased anti-Asian attacks during COVID due to the politically-charged and intentional misconception that Asians were responsible for the coronavirus due to its origin in China.
Last week’s violence is yet another incident in a long line of unnecessary, heartbreaking reminders that we cannot rest and we cannot fail in our work to make our neighborhoods safe, healthy and just for ALL residents.
The clarion call from AAPI community leaders and their allies across the country is to respect and make visible the experience, efforts and lives of Asian people; to end all anti-Asian violence; and to build a more just world centered on belonging. This is the work of generations before us and will be the work of our lifetimes.
In the words of the great civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr., “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” We stand ready to continue the hard but necessary march toward justice and equity, together.
We are proud to support the work of many organizations that dedicated to the health and power of AAPI communities throughout California. We continue to look to them for their leadership; we believe that, like us, you will find great hope in their incredible work.