The entire BCT Family condemns all acts of bias, sexism, bigotry, racism and violence against the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. We deeply mourn the loss of lives and our hearts go out to the families, friends and loved ones of attack victims, including those fatally shot and wounded on March 16, 2021 at three spas in the Atlanta area. The names of the people whose lives were lost included Hyun Jung Grant, Suncha Kim, Yong Yue, Soon Chung Park, Delaina Ashley Yaun Gonzalez, Paul Andre Michels, Xiaojie Tan, and Daoyou Feng. Elcias Hernandez-Ortiz was also critically injured in the attacks. We are greatly saddened by the hurt and the harm that has been caused to others resulting from unprovoked, unwarranted and unjustified assaults which have been disproportionately targeted at AAPI women.
BCT’s mission is to provide insights about diverse people that lead to equity. We proudly employ members of the AAPI community. We work closely with the public, private, nonprofit and academic sectors to foster greater diversity, equity and inclusion. We help organizations analyze and address disparities and inequities in an effort to eradicate them. We are therefore compelled to speak out in this moment.
While violence against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders is significantly on the rise, it is not a new phenomenon. Stop AAPI Hate reported 3,795 Anti-Asian incidents between March 19, 2020 to February 28, 2021, which was up from 2,600 the year prior. Moreover, analysis recently released by the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino, found that while overall crimes decreased by 7 percent in 2020, those targeting people of Asian descent increased by an alarming 150 percent. This is not an Asian American and Pacific Islander problem; this is an American problem. The AAPI community does not stand alone in this moment. We stand firmly with them.
We must come together by recognizing the commonality of our issues and the commonality of our goal: A society where no one lives in fear based on their race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, nationality, age, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other identifier.
The BCT Family challenges ourselves and we invite others to do the following:
Learn more about the vast diversity and beauty that comprise the AAPI community and the multiple dimensions reflecting their lived experiences. This includes, but is not limited to, geographic origin, cultural traditions, migration patterns and generational experiences.
Support organizations working at the front lines to secure justice for the AAPI community. Prior to releasing this statement, BCT made donations to the National Coalition for Asian Pacific Americans Community Development (National CAPACD) and Stop AAPI Hate.
Call upon local and national elected officials to champion policies that ensure the safety and protect the rights of Asian American, Pacific Islander, Black, Indigenous and other people of color (BIPOC).
The disturbing events of 2020 and 2021 represent a clarion call for solidarity, not separation. There is far more that unites us than divides us. Now more than ever, we must come together by recognizing the commonality of our issues and the commonality of our goal: A society where no one lives in fear based on their race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, nationality, age, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other identifier. Therefore, the most effective way to address the challenges facing the AAPI community is to work together as one. This honors the tragedies of the past and paves the way for a future that is more equitable and just for all.