This past week, we were deeply horrified to hear of the 8 murders in Atlanta, 6 of which were Asian women. The wave of anti-Asian racism and violence has been increasing during the COVID-19 pandemic. For the past year, Asian Americans have been wrongfully scapegoated for the spread of COVID-19, increasingly fallen victim to hate crimes, threats and violent assaults, harassment, and harmful stereotypes.
Unfortunately, these attacks are not new. From the Chinese Exclusion Act in the 19th century, to Japanese internment during World War II, violence against the Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community has been prevalent throughout our nation’s history. The racial discrimination and violence our nation has perpetrated against people of color, immigrants, and marginalized communities, still exists today. As a nation, and as New Yorkers, we must address racial injustice and the trauma and fear that these communities continue to face.
As an immigrant services organization, CIANA serves individuals of every race, creed, religion, and identity, helping all new Americans create better lives for themselves and their families. CIANA stands in solidarity with the AAPI community through these tragedies. We stand up against Anti-Asian bias, discrimination, hate, and violence, and are committed to furthering equality and justice for all.
Resources:
Report hate incidents:
Report discrimination in NYC here.
NYC Hate Crimes Task Force: Text “HATE” to 81336 or call 1-888-392-3644
Or, call 311 and say “human rights” or call the NYC Human Rights Commission at 212-416-0197
Mental Health Resources:
Asian Mental Health Collective: asianmhc.org
National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance: nqapia.org
Project Lotus: https://www.theprojectlotus.org/resources
SAMHSA National Hotline: 800-662-HELP
National Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a counselor for support
Detox Local: An extensive list of mental health and substance use resources specifically for the AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) community, including women and LGBTQ+ folks
Learn more:
Stop AAPI Hate National Report: A breakdown of the 3,795 incidents their organization received in the last year against the AAPI community.
Educational resources: statistics on violence, news updates, and support surrounding the AAPI community
Further your understanding of racial justice with this suggested reading list
Resource guide for teachers and parents to develop racial consciousness:
How to help:
61 ways you can support Asian Communities
Support action items and resources
Resources for activism in your community
