CW: discussions of race and gender-based violence against Asian American women in Atlanta. 

Indivisibles, 

The news this week on the murders in Atlanta has been devastating, enraging. While we’re still processing these tragic deaths, we know a few things for certain: These eight individuals weren’t murdered because the shooter was having a bad day, or because he had a sex addiction. In the words of Randy Park, whose mother Hyun Jung Grant was killed in the rampage: that’s bullshit. 

These eight individuals were murdered because of a toxic combination of white supremacy, systemic racism, classism, and gender-based violence. 

Our colleagues, friends, family, group leaders, and movement partners of Asian descent have spent the last year afraid for their lives and the lives of their loved ones as anti-Asian hate crimes across the country rose by more than 150%. And now, they’re grappling with the reality of what occurred in Atlanta: a white male shooter went to three different massage studios over the course of an hour and murdered eight people, six of whom were Asian American women.

To the many Indivisibles who are not Asian American: it is up to us to offer support and solidarity, to speak out, and to find solutions so that we can collectively stop these traumas from happening again. And that starts with acknowledging the multitude of oppressions that Asian American women face.

Asian American women’s experiences of racism and sexism are often inextricably linked, the result of centuries of racial exploitation, objectification, and sexualization by men of all races. The events that occurred in Atlanta are not solely about racism or sexism, but rather that these two issues are intertwined. We must speak openly about the history and repercussions of where these issues meet and the role they play in our society today. To say that there’s only a singular narrative of racism or misogyny denies Asian women their full personhood.

Here are some educational resources that we found helpful and want to share: 

• Asian Americans Advancing Justice Atlanta protects the civil rights of the AAPI community in Georgia and the southeast. If you can, consider donating.
• Asian American Feminist Collective has a wide range of resources including a zine for supporting Asian American communities during COVID-19, links to mutual aid funds and nonprofits providing support, reading lists, and more. 
• Red Canary Song provides resources for Asian migrant communities, Asian sex working communities, and the overlap between these two groups. Read their statement on the murder of the Asian American massage workers in Atlanta, and consider donating. 
• Check out The Making of Asian America: A History by Erika Lee for a comprehensive look on the long and forgotten history of Asian American life. 

And if you’d like to take immediate action: 

• If your representative is one of these 164 Republicans who voted against Rep. Meng’s resolution condemning Anti-Asian racism, or one of the 172 Republicans who voted against the Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (less than 24-hours after the murders in Atlanta), call them at (202) 224-3121 to let them know you were paying attention and their actions have consequences.
• Then, check out and share this resource on anti-Asian violence.
• If you’re able, split a donation among eight organizations that are fighting to protect and support the AAPI community. Click here to split a donation now.

What’s important now is that we continue to support each other through this painful time. Check in on your friends and family, have difficult but open conversations about racism and privilege, and listen to the stories of those most directly impacted. 

In solidarity, 
Indivisible Team