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Dear Advocate,
Today, we remember the lives lost to the tragedy that occurred at the Atlanta spa shootings. Three years ago in the midst of the pandemic, a hate crime was committed against the Asian American community and the beauty salon industry of Georgia. This incident serves as a reminder of the harsh reality that we live in, where gun violence and anti-Asian racism threaten our lives and livelihoods. As we reflect this tragedy, we are reminded of the ever-present need for vigilance, a lesson that was vividly brought home to me recently.
On March 2, I attended the East Coast Asian American Student Union (ECAASU) conference at Yale University. During the closing ceremony, I was seated at the back of a chapel. This is when I noticed a young man in a hoodie and thick puffer jacket entering. He chose a seat diagonally in front of me, but something did not seem right. Unlike other attendees, he lacked an ECAASU lanyard, and his constant scanning of the room made him look like he wasn’t a Yale student who was sitting in for a free performance.
My mind automatically raced to worst-case scenarios. I discreetly surveyed the room for exits, mentally noting the nearest fire alarm. I even strategized how to position myself closer to the young man, and thought about the different ways I could block him if he were to pose a threat. I prayed for protection, prayed that I was wrong, but also prayed that I would be given the strength to intervene, should anything happen. My baby sister, a Yale sophomore and conference organizer, sat near the front — which would put her in the range of a firearm.
As the evening wore on, he remained in his seat. When the ceremony concluded, other students with ECAASU lanyards approached him in a familiar manner. Only then did I exhale, relieved that my vigilance hadn’t been necessary. But for those tense moments, my senses were on high alert, and I felt like the weight of responsibility pressed upon me.
We live in a time where we cannot afford to let our guard down, even in places that should be safe and welcoming. As we remember the lives lost in Atlanta, remember that there is still much to be done to make our society safer. Congress must pass the Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety Act and get it to President Biden’s desk. We must come together and do all that we can to stop the spread of this violent epidemic.
In solidarity,
Thu Nguyen
Executive Director, OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates
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