Lately, the hardest conversation I've had about the rise in AAPI hate isn't with my colleagues in Congress, it's with my kids.
This morning, I was on CBS with Elaine Quijano talking about how I discuss anti-AAPI hate and the rise in violence with my kids. I shared that one of my earliest memories is of when some older kids were picking on me for my “slanty eyes” and making other racist comments. Now, my five-year-old has experienced this type of hateful language too.
As I told Elaine, being targeted for being a Korean American made me feel invisible and that I was a joke to my bullies. Hearing my own son tell me that an older boy was picking on him and calling him a "China boy" over and over again broke my heart. My son is a sweet boy, and I could tell it hurt him even though in the moment he tried to laugh it off. He told the older boy that he is a Jersey boy -- and he's right. We both are.
In Congress and at home, I'm making a point to lift every voice and move the conversation forward about the rise in racism, xenophobia, and hate. We're at a moment when we must speak up and make it clear that we will not quietly suffer this injustice, and yes, we do belong here.
But it's not just the AAPI community that is facing increased levels of discrimination. Black, Indigenous, and all people of color across this country are being targeted and treated as “other.”
Right now, it's hard to be a parent. For the past year, we've talked to our kids about losing loved ones to COVID. For so long, Black parents have had to talk with their kids about law enforcement and systemic racism, while I and many other parents are learning how to speak to our kids about how we can be an ally to our Black friends and neighbors. And we're holding these conversations all over as Minnesota protesters once again rise to demand justice for Black lives.
I know you care about these issues too, and I'm so thankful to have you with me as we fight back against hate in all of its forms.
If you can't give today, that is okay. But again, I just ask that you share the link to our interview above -- or share this email with your friends and family to keep these conversations going.
By having these conversations, we can build a future where all kids across this country feel safe and welcome.
In this together,
Andy