Our hearts are heavy in the wake of the horrific killing of eight people, six of whom were Asian women, in Atlanta, Georgia. This devastating act of violence is a painful reminder of the long history of systemic anti-Asian racism rooted in white supremacy as well as sexism and sexual violence against Asian women in the United States.
Asian American women, elders, immigrants, and service workers are among the most vulnerable and victimized in the alarming rise in acts of hate against Asian Americans. Although this is not a new occurrence, we have witnessed a nearly 150% increase in anti-Asian hate and violence since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic over the past year.
In the words of the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum, “The coronavirus has been weaponized against us to enable even more racialized misogyny but we continue to courageously speak up so our stories are heard and demand that our leaders address racism and violence against us head-on.”
Confronting systemic racism and gender-based violence is critical to building a more just and compassionate world and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our families, colleagues, neighbors, and communities.
Farm Sanctuary is committed to equity and social justice and continuing to learn, act in solidarity with those impacted by violence and injustice, and cultivate a culture that counters all forms of systemic oppression.
Resources for learning and advocacy: