Over the course of the last year, there has been an increase in harassment, assault, and violence targeting Asian American Pacific Islanders, and especially AAPI women. On Tuesday, March 16, a white man murdered eight people in a series of shootings outside Atlanta, six of whom were women of Asian descent.
We grieve their murders. The taking of their lives is an unimaginable tragedy.
We acknowledge that these and other recent attacks in the Bay Area are part of a legacy of white supremacy, colonialism, xenophobia, and imperialism targeting AAPI communities, especially women and elders. As members of the Bay Area community, we apologize that it took a mass murder across the country to speak out when our own neighbors have been under attack all year. Last week Pak Ho died after a robbery just miles from our theater and countless more have suffered hate crimes blocks from our homes.
As an organization, we have signed A Community-Centered Response to Violence against Asian American Communities developed by Asian Americans Advancing Justice and Atlanta & Georgia NAACP and urge others with organizational power to do the same. We continue to interrogate our own white supremacist practices and biases as we strive to be an anti-racist organization. We refuse to perpetuate the gas-lighting and victim-blaming that follows this violence. We commit to centering and amplifying the voices of AAPI leaders and organizations who have been protecting and fighting for their communities for generations in solidarity with Black and Indigenous liberation movements.
AAPI people are a beloved part of Cal Shakes’ staff, audience, artists, board, education & community partners. To our AAPI community, you deserve safety, support, and freedom from racism and hate.
Action steps:
- Ask your organization to sign A Community-Centered Response to Violence against Asian American Communities
- If you’re able, donate directly to AAPI families that need support now
- Sign up to volunteer with the Oakland Chinatown Coalition
Further resources:
