Fight Injustice Everywhere

Last year, I told you I was not ok in a message on June 2^nd, 2020 (Insert Link). I spoke out about the racial injustices impacting black and brown communities, specifically referencing George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery. We all saw, heard and felt “enough was enough.” 

Well, unfortunately, it is just a year later and I am back. And, much to my dismay, with a similar message. Once again, I am appealing to the masses. I am asking that we openly and actively keep supporting, praying for and uplifting our Asian, Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities. 

The outright violence and unprovoked attacks we have witnessed over the past year is heartbreaking and rooted in ignorance. We must take a stand and link together, arm in arm, as any compassionate community would, and say out loud that what is happening to communities of color is not right. Period. There is no room to be on the fence about stark issues of racial injustice. Not ever. 

The Emma L. Bowen Foundation is affirming its support for the Asian, Asian-American and Pacific Islander community in the wake of an increase in attacks since the start of the pandemic. And that is not meant to suggest they were exempt from experiencing racist and xenophobia attacks - pre-Covid! 

The analysis released by the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino examined hate crimes in sixteen of America’s largest cities. Anti-Asian hate crimes increased by 150% in 2020 mostly in NY and LA. From 2019 to 2020, the overall hate crime rate declined, while hate crimes targeting Asians increased, from three to twenty-eight in NY and seven to fifteen in LA. 

As Emma would want and expect from us, we are all walking billboards and advocates for social justice. She dedicated her life to combatting racism, sexism and xenophobia. Attacks on communities of color is not new. Intense violence has been on the rise since the onset of the pandemic. The increasing violent hate crimes against members of our Asian community are repulsive, loathsome and must come to an end!

Asian, Asian-American & Pacific Islander communities are very much a part of our American tapestry. The Foundation sends this message of support for all that are silently suffering.

To learn more and to participate in the solution, resources are available at StopAAPIHate.org.

#FightInjusticeEverywhere

#StopAsianHate

#LoveIsTheAnswer