We Stand Against: Anti-Asian Hate
Press Release by Brittany Gail Thomas, Esq., Founder & CEO
The pandemic has caused an onslaught of realizations. Realizations that people of color have always known but now the mainstream are becoming aware of. The “China virus” and other racially charged language spewed across all forms of media have made the pandemic even more unsafe. Unsafe for Asian persons living in this country.
Whether it’s Asian children being mocked in their classrooms or Asian young adults facing the harsh realities of racism on their classmates’ social media platforms, the sting of racism and prejudice has come to a head. Now the words have turned into physical violence. The reports are heartbreaking. Recently, we learned that a 91-year-old Asian man was knocked over Oakland, CA. An 84-year-old Asian man was tackled to the ground in San Francisco, CA and died as a result of the inflicted injuries.
California does not stand alone. Anti-Asian crimes and acts of racism are a national problem. In the last year, anti-Asian motivated crimes increased by 1900% in New York.(1) Between March and September 2020, there were more than 2,500 reported anti-Asian hate crimes related to COVID-19.(2) A recent Pew Research Center survey of 9,654 U.S. adults found that since the pandemic 58% of Asians found that others were more likely to express racist views against Asian and 31% of Asian were subjected to anti-Asian slurs or jokes.(3) Asians account for only 6% of the U.S. population and are considered to be the fastest growing major racial or ethnic group in the country.(4)
We stand against any and all attacks on persons of Asian-decent.
We stand against any and all forms of anti-Asian hate.
We move for immediate action from this nation and its leaders to support and protect them.
THE COLOR OF EXCELLENCE™ will continue to stand in the gap for our members, especially those of Asian-decent, as they navigate these injustices and the resulting fear caused. We will continue to educate, enhance, and empower law students and attorneys of color because they deserve support in moments like these. We will continue to stand for justice and fairness for all.
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(1) Donlevy, K. (2020, December 17). Anti-Asian hate crime jumps 1,900 percent. Retrieved February 12, 2021, from https://www.qchron.com/editions/queenswide/anti-asian-hate-crime-jumps-1-900-percent/article_f007a05b-f43e-54ca-a3c6-1b5493333dea.html
(2) A Rising Tide of Hate and Violence against Asian Americans in New York During COVID-19: Impact, Causes, Solutions, see also Song, Z., & Vázquez, J. (2021, February 12). Study shows rise of hate crimes, violence against Asian Americans during the pandemic. Retrieved February 12, 2021, from https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/study-shows-rise-of-hate-crimes-violence-against-asian-americans-in-nyc-during-covid/2883215/?amp%29
(3) Ruiz, N., Horowitz, J., & Tamir, C. (2020, December 17). Many Black and Asian Americans Say They Have Experienced Discrimination Amid the COVID-19 Outbreak. Retrieved February 12, 2021, from https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2020/07/01/many-black-and-asian-americans-say-they-have-experienced-discrimination-amid-the-covid-19-outbreak/
(4) Budiman, A., Cilluffo, A., & Ruiz, N. (2020, May 30). Key facts about Asian origin groups in the U.S. Retrieved February 12, 2021, from https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/05/22/key-facts-about-asian-origin-groups-in-the-u-s/
