IMPORTANT ASIAN ISSUES
The Fatal Atlanta Spa Shootings: A Quick Recap of What Happened
written by: Carolyn Cho
With the detrimental rise in AAPI hate crimes, eight lives have been taken away from the hands of a gunman in Atlanta on March 16th. It has been reported that these mass shootings took place in three different spas. Law enforcement have located their suspect, Robert Aaron Long, who has now been arrested for all three killings. Here’s a brief rundown of what happened.​
The earliest shooting occurred Tuesday afternoon at Young’s Asian Massage in Woodstock, Georgia. Four people were killed and one person was seriously injured, according to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. Chief Rodney Bryant had reported that about an hour later, three people were shot dead at the Gold Massage Spa on Piedmont Road in Atlanta. Another person was found dead at the Aroma Therapy Spa miles away.
Officials have identified all eight victims brutally murdered in the chain of violent attacks. Most of the victims were devoted mothers who immigrated to America for a better life. One served as an Army veteran and a handyman. Six of the victims were Asian women, four of whom were Korean and the other two White.
​On March 19th, the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s office released the names of the four victims. Those killed at the two shootings were Hyun Jung Grant, Suncha Kim, Soon Chung Park and Yong Ae Yue. The victims that were attacked at Young’s Asian Massage were named Delaina Ashley Yaun, Paul Andre Michels, Xiaojie Tan and Daoyou Feng.
​
Close friends and family members mourned the loss and were devastated over the sudden attacks. The mothers who diligently worked from day to night dedicated their lives to protecting and nurturing their children.​
The countless numbers of hate incidents, discrimination, and violence towards Asian Americans have become prevalent amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. These incidents have further raised concerns about racism in the U.S, especially after the 1900% increase in anti-Asian violence. We must do everything in our power to lessen these incidents from happening. Whether it's donating to affected families, using our social media platforms, sharing information, or discussing with our loved ones, we can all make a difference in our community.​
Sources Cited: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/03/19/who-are-atlanta-shooting-spa-victims/4762802001/
https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/atlanta-area-shootings-03-17-21/index.html
​
*During these tough times, it’s especially important to support one another within the community and keep our thoughts and prayers in mind. Down below, there will be helpful organizations and donation links, so please make sure to check those out. Stay safe and take care of one another. ~ AALLY
​
Helpful Organizations and Donate Links:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/memorial-for-yong-yue-and-family
https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-loving-memory-of-sun-cha-kim
https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-hyunjungkim-to-support-my-brother-i
https://www.gofundme.com/f/ngoc-pham-fundraiser
https://www.gofundme.com/f/2b8zh292uo
https://www.gofundme.com/f/atl-spa-shooting-family-survivor-fund-jami-webb
The Constant Worry About Our Asian Relatives and Our Future as AAPI’s
written by: Michaela Medel
From the day COVID-19 impacted our nation, the disturbing discriminatory language, brutal assaults, and micro-aggressions towards the AAPI community have substantially risen. As of 2020, there has been an increase of nearly 3,800 cases regarding hate crimes reported to the organization “Stop AAPI Hate”. Please take into consideration the potential thousands of individuals who did not - and still do not - report these violent attacks, and trust me when I say that not every Asian American is willing to admit that they are a victim.
​
As the number of hate crimes exponentially increase, we stress worry and fear upon the livelihoods of our family members, close friends, neighbors, and loved ones. These concerns are prevalent within our society due to ignorant individuals who refuse to think twice about their internalized xenophobia. In addition to worrying about being attacked by mindless individuals, we also have to concern ourselves with the fatal pandemic. People relentlessly blame Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders for the virus, when they should instead acknowledge their potential contribution in spreading it nationwide.
For some individuals in the AAPI community, anxiety may only start to feel real when these issues reach them on a personal level. Take for example, some may listen in on Mom checking up on Lolo, who is concerned that his distinctive features as a Filipino will give him an easier chance of receiving a potential strike in the face. Parents may start to remark that wearing darker shaded sunglasses outside is beneficial and will “help” prevent their Asian American identities from sticking out like a sore thumb. While citizens are already highly encouraged to stay home to keep others safe, members of the AAPI community are now recommended to remain inside to keep themselves safe.
Emotions of numbness and helplessness can be overwhelming, leading numerous people to question the future of the AAPI community. As new stories about the latest hate crimes in different locations continue to pop up on our feeds and television screens, we find ourselves losing faith in the humanity of our fellow Americans. Although for different reasons, we fear one another and fear is the least productive emotion one can attain - at least according to my Lolo. It may take some time to achieve a degree of peace and acceptance within our communities, but we can re-discover empathy if we help educate others on important issues involving the AAPI community and try to suppress ignorance.
​
Sources Cited:
*Dear AAPI’s, please check up on your relatives - all of them. Your cousins, who will cringe at you, your grandparents who claim that they are the toughest people alive, and your parents, who may pretend that everything is fine. No matter how they react, they will appreciate your concern. In addition, make sure to reach out to your friends within your community; sharing experiences and emotions will not only comfort them, but also yourself.
​
**Dear non-AAPI’s, one text to your Asian and Pacific Islander friends can be so comforting. It might seem pretty awkward at first and it does not have to be daily, but once in a while a check-in would be appreciated. Listen to them more instead of trying to give solutions; you cannot solve these issues yourself. As it may surprise you, trying to be a problem-solver can be harmful, despite good intentions. Be kind, spread the love, and stay supportive.
History Continues to Repeat Itself With The Substantial Rise in Anti-Asian Hate Crimes
written by: Justine Cabot
Discrimination of any kind is a disease itself that has plagued our nation. We cannot deny our country’s long history of animosity and prejudice against minority groups; one of those being the AAPI community. Dating back to the 19th and 20th centuries, Asians have been perceived as inferior. Individuals have used pandemics, such as smallpox, the bubonic plague, and even COVID-19, as a way to justify anti-Asian hate and violence.These invalid excuses derive from xenophobic and racist ideologies.
In the late 1800s, many Americans perceived immigrants to be a major factor in spreading disease, which further increased immigration restrictions such as the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. This act would demonstrate white supremacy as it prevented Chinese laborers, fleeing from the disastrous Taiping Rebellion, to immigrate to the United States in search of work. The Know-Nothing Party of the United States declared that their culture was being tainted, leading to immigration limits to protect native culture and jobs.
Many of us solely tend to associate black Americans with lynching, however, the AAPI community has experienced lynchings in the past. In 1871, one of the largest mass lynchings in American history occurred in Chinatown, Los Angeles. An anti-Chinese mob attacked and lynched 18 victims. Ever since former President Trump's racist rhetorics of the virus as the “Kung Flu” spread all over the media, violence and hate towards Asian American and Pacific Islander individuals has reached an all-time high. Once again, the AAPI community is being racially targeted due to the worldwide spread of COVID-19.
​
Although discrimination against the AAPI is not a new concept, there is a substantial incline, since the start of the pandemic. Bombastic insults and racially targeted attacks have climbed dramatically in many states, since March of 2020. The NYPD has concluded that anti-Asian hate crimes have escalated 1,900% in New York City. Stop AAPI Hate received 2,800 reports of anti-Asian discrimination throughout the period of March 19th to December 31st of 2020.
Similarly, in Oakland Chinatown, it has been reported that there have been 20 violent attacks and robberies since January. Animosity rooted in nationalism has been demonstrated through the many violent assaults. Brutal attacks are resulting in the loss of life and stressing fear upon many individuals in the AAPI community. Instances of shunning, slurs, and callous physical attacks cannot go unnoticed.
​
Hate, violence, and racism have no place in our country. The pandemic is not the fault of any one group, so these senseless attacks are a reflection of the ignorance of our society. It’s time to reach out to our Asian-American and Pacific Islander friends, neighbors, and fellow students. It’s time to listen, learn, speak out, and educate others. We cannot continue to bury our heads in the sand and give the impression that this is OK. As allies, we stand together with the AAPI community.
#StopAsianHate #StopAAPIHate
Sources Cited:
https://time.com/5938482/asian-american-attacks/
https://www.concordmonitor.com/My-Turn-Jonathan-P-Baird-39468158
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/18/nyregion/asian-hate-crimes.html