After the Atlanta shootings, how Asian-Americans can help stop the hatred and discrimination

The tragedy in Atlanta is an awakening to American society that enough is enough when it comes to the escalating violence

Asian-Americans can help bring an end to the hatred and discrimination by keeping their voices at the forefront of change and celebrating their history

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People participate in a march against Asian-American and Pacific Islander racism and violence, outside the State Capitol in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, on March 20. Photo: EPA-EFE

Amy Wu

Amy Wu is a Chinese American journalist based in New York and California who writes about cross-cultural issues.

Published: 3:30am, 23 Mar 2021Updated: 5:00am, 23 Mar 2021

On March 16, eight people were shot and killed at three massage parlours in Atlanta, Georgia. Six of the eight victims were women of Asian descent.

In the wake of the shootings, I found myself shifting between hope and sadness. The hope came from the voices that surfaced in the multitude of protests in communities and cities across the country. It emerged from the messages sent out by various organisations and companies. I had not seen such a public outcry for Asian-Americans previously.

The hospital where my sister works issued the following statement: “Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center stands with the Asian community and rejects racism, violence and intolerance. We are united in working toward a more inclusive future. #StopAsianHate.” The hashtags were multiplying and posts crying out for solidarity were being shared again.

Hope surfaced when the US House of Representatives’ Judiciary Committee addressed anti-Asian discrimination at a hearing. It was the first hearing on the subject in three decades.