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One year ago, eight people, including six Asian women, were murdered by a gunman at several Atlanta-area spas. Today, our communities are gathering in shared grief for the families of the victims and survivors. We honor and remember those who were lost, including Yong Ae Yue, Suncha Kim, Daoyou Feng, Hyun Jung Grant, Soon Chung Park, Xiaojie “Emily” Tan, Delaina Ashley Yaun, and Paul Andre Michels.
As we continue to grapple with the latest wave of anti-Asian attacks, we recognize that Asian American women are historically and disproportionately affected by misogynistic harassment and violence. According to the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum, 74% of AAPI women reported experiencing racism or discrimination over the past 12 months, while a majority of individuals who reported incidents to Stop AAPI Hate since March 2020 are AAPI women.
The pain from tragedy in Atlanta has also been compounded by the horrifying deaths of Christina Yuna Lee, Michelle Go, GuiYing Ma, and others. Our families, friends, and community members deserve to be safe — and as we mourn and reflect, we must be relentless in our pursuit of their protection.
The path forward may be difficult, but our love for our communities knows no bounds. Beyond conducting bystander intervention trainings and expanding the collection of hate crime data, we continue to support the work of organizers and allies in building an environment of true belonging. This requires systemic change — not just a pledge to combat hatred and violence — that includes investments in violence prevention programs, increased access to mental health and housing resources, and substantive support for the most vulnerable in our society.
Today, please read the stories of the lives that were taken on March 16, 2021. While our hearts may be shattered and the feelings of that day remain raw, knowing their names, hopes, and dreams is the least we can do as we heal and prepare for the work that lies ahead.
— OCA National Center
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