| On Friday, March 12th, Stop AAPI Hate issued a report which detailed the tremendous scale of anti-Asian hate and violence. The horrific shootings and murder in and around Atlanta painfully illustrated the absolute worst of this scourge of anti-Asian violence.
On Monday, a 21-year old man legally purchased a 9mm handgun which he used on Tuesday during his murderous spree which left 8 people dead and one injured. Six of the eight people were identified as Asian-American women.
We must acknowledge the roots of these heinous acts in misogyny and the hyper-sexualization of Asian women, weak gun laws in Georgia and in our country, and the increasing boldness of white supremacy and anti-Asian sentiment throughout the country related to the spurious messaging from the former President about the origin and cause of the Coronavirus.
TAUP condemns the hatred and violence of this and all other white supremacist incidents targeting Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders. We mourn those who have been lost in this deeply reprehensible hate crime, and we are devastated for the great loss their families and loved ones must feel. We must also recognize and respect the fear and trauma that the past year has inflicted on all of our AAPI friends, colleagues and students and must do everything we can to show our understanding and solidarity.
We must not allow these deaths to be minimized or misrepresented. We must continue to condemn and speak out against white supremacy, violence, and injustice whenever and however it appears.
Please click here for resources on how to support the AAPI community during this difficult time. TAUP will be donating to Asian Americans United and encourages others to do the same.
Remember all of the victims of Tuesday’s shootings in a meaningful way. Let us say the names of the five people who were murdered in Acworth: Delaina Ashley Yaun, Paul Andre Michels, Xiaojie Tan and Daoyou Feng. Let us add the names of the four women murdered in Atlanta when they are revealed. Let us hope for the swift and complete healing of Elcias R. Hernandez-Ortiz, who remains hospitalized with injuries. Advocate for, acknowledge, honor and respect the diversity that exists in our society — as well as the essential equity and inclusion that we must work towards together at Temple and throughout our lives.
In Solidarity,
The TAUP Executive Committee and Staff
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TAUP