Over the last year, racist acts - including violent hate crimes - against the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community have grown significantly. Unfortunately, the shootings that took place in Atlanta on Tuesday, March 16 were the culmination of rising anti-Asian sentiment that is historically rooted, and that has flourished as a result of the pandemic. Stop AAPI Hate has reported 3,795 incidents between March 19, 2020 and February 28, 2021 -- 96 of those here in Massachusetts.
The MA Department of Mental Health stands in solidarity with the Asian community in the fight against racism, prejudice, and hate. We condemn the horrific acts that took place in Atlanta as well as the many incidents that led up to them.
If you want to learn more about the history of Asians in America, and suggestions for how you can educate yourself, and be a pro-active ally, please check out the resources below.
Stop Asian Hate: Anti-Asian Racism Resources
- Stop AAPI Hate
- Anti Asian Violence Resources
- New Yorker – The Atlanta Shooting and the Dehumanizing of Asian Women
- WaPo – Asian Americans see shooting as a culmination of a year of racism
- USA Today - There's been a rise in anti-Asian attacks. Here's how to be an ally to the community.
- Metro New York – Violence against Asian community is unacceptable and harmful to all of New York City
- ABC – 'I am an American, too': Violence sparks new grief, reckoning for Asian Americans
- Today – Anti-Asian violence has surged in the US since COVID-19. But it didn't start there
- VOA – Hate Crimes Targeting Asian Americans Spiked by 150% in Major US Cities
- Yes! - Addressing Anti-Asian Attacks With Transformative Justice
"Our people are getting attacked, our people are getting harassed, spat on, beat up, slashed. Please, somebody pay attention. Please notice us." - Representative Grace Meng