We Must Defeat Hate, Restore Inclusion and Respect

All Americans are witnessing an escalation of hate and assault, physical and verbal abuse, cyberbullying and racial slurs directed at members of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community.

USPAACC strongly condemns all forms of discrimination, racism, xenophobia, and violence against the AAPI community and any person based on, or simply perceived, race, color, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, or disability.

We first arrived on these shores from different countries and cultures – the pioneering Chinese, Japanese, Koreans, Indians, and Filipinos – and each has faced similar exclusion and blame in times of economic downturn, war, and contagion. The harsh 100-year history of systemic racism – from the 1850s to 1952 when the last of the existing measures to exclude Asian immigration and prevent Asians from becoming naturalized American citizens were repealed – forged the common, shared Asian experience of prejudice in America.

The US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation (USPAACC) today believes we have the power to change the course of American history with an all-hands national movement to treat our community – and all diverse communities -- with respect, dignity and fairness, as equal participants in American life.

There are five actions we must take:

First, we begin by speaking up and being heard, but not in echo chambers and not merely to each other. We must put civility back in our conversations on our differences and similarities in our communities and national discourse at the same time. We are dedicated to creating cohesive and vibrant communities that unite all individuals based on mutual courtesy and understanding.

Second, we call for calm, well-reasoned responses to these hate crimes and the need for greater political, socio-cultural, and economic investments in education, inclusion and unity. These steps will harness the power of plurality and equity, and eradicate the dangerous perceptions of threat and the poison of divisiveness.

Third, we must illuminate our diversity. The AAPI community is a multifaceted group that speaks a host of languages and dialects, and practices different religions. Throughout the last 130 years, we have made major contributions to America in the fields of science and technology, engineering, the arts, sports, and in recent years, the digital revolution, and so much more.

Fourth, we must do more to repel racism on every level and protect the primacy of reason, tolerance, and esteem. We must not turn a blind eye to the plight of minorities. None of us should ever be complicit in our silence when faced with any form of hate. In this challenging world, we can never afford to be bystanders.

Fifth, we must change the narrative. Let us put the spotlight on truthful AAPI stories, issues, and traditions, and spread these far and wide. This will ensure that our community is demystified and not reduced to racist stereotypes and biases. We are fully valued members of American society.

This is our home, our country. We are part of a proud mosaic of multi-ethnic, multi-religious, and multi-cultural community. Let us be on the right side of history and take meaningful actions that help eradicate hate, racist tropes, and fallacies that destroy the values that our nation was built upon.

Let us mobilize our grassroots movement. We call upon those with power and influence to give back and help to create a stronger AAPI community and a more vital America. Let us harness our collective force and wisdom to change the course of history. By so doing, we will create an enduring society that is eminently just, tolerant and inclusive, victorious over hate, and the true cradle of hope, freedom, and amity.

#StopAsianHate #StandbyAsianAmericans