In response to the increasing number of hate crimes targeting Asian-American people in our communities, the staff and Board of Amara feel the need to speak out. We stand in solidarity with Amara’s Asian-American staff, as well as the children and families with whom we work, and are horrified by the escalating anti-Asian violence in the US. Since the start of the COVID pandemic, there has been a staggering increase in racist and xenophobic attacks against Asian-Americans in the United States and much of it leveled against elderly people. Governor Inslee released a statement this week, in response to the rising numbers of hate crimes in our state, saying, “We must all condemn the acts of hate and violence displayed in the rising incidence of anti-Asian hate crimes in both Washington state and across the country. This is wholly unacceptable and must not stand.”
Amara maintains an intentional focus on confronting and dismantling racism, as well as centering equity with respect to and including ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation and abilities, to make sure everyone in our community feels safe, supported and affirmed for who they are. We will continue to use our voice to speak out against these racist attacks on the Asian-American community and welcome the opportunity to continue to expand our advocacy as well.
We encourage everyone to peruse the resources and watch and listen to the moving stories in their Break the Silence video compiled by the National YMCA APILN Steering Committee. We also urge you to join us, if you haven’t already, in learning more about and supporting local organizations including the Asian Counseling and Referral Service, Asia Pacific Cultural Center, and read more about our region’s Asian-American history.
You can report a hate crime (or bias incident) with the Washington State Attorney General’s office.