Hey there, before the month is over I wanted to take a moment to celebrate Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Month and tell you a little bit about my personal family story. I'd appreciate it if you read the whole thing.
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders make up a broad coalition of ethnicities and cultures with a deep history in this country.
I’ve been reflecting on the respective stories and experiences of my maternal and paternal grandparents, pictured below.
Painfully, along with my parents, they were all sent to Japanese-American internment camps during World War II because of racist, fear-mongering policies. They lost everything and had no choice but to rebuild their entire lives after the war.
Our histories in this country have always been fraught. Even today, we’re seeing a rise in AAPI hate spurred by the COVID-19 virus.
Nonetheless, we’ve persevered. Our families have traveled across continents to pursue the American Dream and build a new, better life for their children.
Today, I’m feeling especially thankful for my parents, Nancy and Willie, for everything they’ve done and sacrificed for me and my siblings.
Friend, I think we can all agree: Asian Americans deserve to be treated with respect and dignity.
So, this AAPI Month, let’s take a stand against AAPI hate.
Will you add your name to join me in standing against Asian hate and fight for equality and safety? I'm hoping to see your name along with 5,000 other good people by midnight. »
Thank you for making a difference this AAPI Month.
-- Mark Takano
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