We Stand In Solidarity with our Asian American Sisters, Brothers and Siblings
The violence against our Asian sisters, brothers and siblings must stop. Eight people in the Atlanta area were killed due to senseless acts of evil and racism. We refuse to condone this type of behavior. We must learn that difference is not evil and that there is room for diversity, equity and inclusion in this world. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”. Let us unite to bring healing to our world.
We are standing on the precipice of another potential hate crime. We do not know at this point why 6 Asian and 2 other individuals were viciously attacked and murdered. As the Asian/Asian American /Pacific Islander (AAPI) community mourns, so do we. We mourn the loss of the permanently interrupted lives of our sisters, our brothers and our siblings. We stand in solidarity with the families of those murdered and injured as a result of this senseless act of selfishness that created this tragedy.
Currently it is unknown whether or not race and ethnicity is the primary factor in this heinous act and abuse of power and privilege. What we do know is that our AAPI family have often been the target of displaced aggressions during this year long pandemic. We cannot afford to allow violence that is rooted in racism to rule the day. Fostering antiracism is the panacea for blatant acts of domestic terrorism and predatory killing. Injustices cannot continue to be written off as “interesting and unusual”.
We have witnessed over and over in our great country the inhumane treatment of Othered people. Those who fight for diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging must fight with vigor and might against institutions that promote the marginalization of citizens based on the color of their skin, their gender or who they love.
People are broken and lives have forever been changed because one young white male decided to take the lives of many and flee. This is not the first time this has happened and it will not be last if you and I and do not collectively take a stand and say that enough is enough. We have to not just make a difference, but we have to be the difference. Each one of us has to do our part.
Rev. Sharon L. Bowers, Director
The Inclusion & Dialogue Center
Emory & Henry College
#nomorekilling
- Stop Asian American Hate Photo