To our EGA community,
Our hearts are broken, and we are still processing the news and the aftermath of the most recent violent attacks against the Asian and Asian American community in Georgia this week. We are remembering their lives and legacies, as we grieve the loss of Delaina Ashley Yaun, Paul Andre Michels, Xiaojie Tan, Daoyou Feng, Julie Park, Hyeon Jeong Park, and two additional victims whose names have not yet been shared with the public. This most recent incident of violence against the AAPI community is a reminder of how critical our work is to combat white supremacy, which aims to divide us in our movements towards a racially just future. We are also holding the memory of Vicha Ratanapakdee, and Pak Ho, two elders who lost their lives as a result of the surge in hate crimes against Asians and Asian-Americans, especially impacting the working class, women, and elders in the community.
As we seek solutions and answers on how we can be supportive through action, we lift up AAPIP's resource directory to combat increased anti-Asian violence in the wake of COVID-19, and Patricia Eng and Erik Segman's Chronicle of Philanthropy Letter to the Editor, "As Violence Against Asian-Americans Intensifies, The Moment to Act is Now"
Patricia and Erik's letter calls for the philanthropic sector to act by:
- Strongly repudiating violence against Asian American communities. Send a clear message about your institution’s position on anti-Asian violence and all hate-based actions.
- Disrupting the “model minority” and “perpetual foreigner” narratives alongside other racial tropes that serve to divide rather than unify this nation.
- Supporting Asian American and Pacific Islander organizations as part of regular grant making and also in advancing a more holistic racial-equity strategy.
- Honor and support cross-racial efforts that strengthen rather than divide the United States along racial lines.
While we continue to process the news of this and the many attacks we have witnessed against AAPI communities, especially over the past several months, we are committed to lifting up EGA member commitments and perspectives on this moment as we continue to strive towards a racially just future for all. With deep gratitude for your responses and your action.
In solidarity,
The EGA Team