Statement in Support of the AAPI Community | Families Blessed with World's Children

FBWC supports the Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community and stands with our AAPI family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues in the
fight against racial inequality and racial injustice. The recent murders of six Asian women in the Atlanta area are shocking and very troubling. This tragedy shines a spotlight, once again, on the fact that racism is still very much alive in America. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic more than a year ago, many within the AAPI community — men, women and children of all ages — have been falsely blamed for the pandemic and subjected to ugly, hurtful slurs — all born of ignorance and xenophobia. These racist insults have escalated into violence. In the last year, there have been more than 3,800 reported incidents of racism and discrimination targeting Asian Americans. In 2020, anti-Asian hate crimes increased by almost 150% in sixteen major U.S. cities. In New York City, the NYPD reported that hate crimes motivated by anti-Asian sentiment jumped 1,900%. These scary numbers are horrifying.

This is a reminder that we cannot be silent or complacent when it comes to the pervasive racial inequality and racial injustice that exists in our country. Instead, all of us must stand in solidarity with the AAPI community. We must speak out against the racism and injustice that the AAPI community has had to endure. But in addition to speaking out, we must take action, as good intentions and words are not enough. We must work together to break the cycle of senseless racism and to find solutions for ending racial hatred and violence. Now is the time to do this before yet-another tragedy occurs. We can make a difference if we care and we try.

So what can we do?

1. Watch these recent videos to help educate ourselves about implicit bias and racial injustice:

Talk with our families, friends, neighbors, and colleagues about the racism and violence being perpetrated against Asian Americans and help stop the spread of racist misinformation about them and the coronavirus pandemic on social media and in your communities. Share resources that may help:

Check in with Asians, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in our lives. Let them know we support them, and really listen to what they have to say about what they are experiencing. We may not be aware that they are feeling isolated and are suffering. Giving them our support can help more than we may realize.
Learn about the dark history of racism against Asian Americans in the U.S.:

Learn about two persistent and harmful stereotypes — the “model minority” and the “perpetual foreigner” stereotypes — that hurt the Asian community in the U.S.:

And, of course, most importantly, we must demonstrate respect for ALL. We must respect the dignity of everyone regardless of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, and disability. While addressing anti-Asian racism, we must also endeavor to end all forms of discrimination and systemic racism, including racism against Black, Indigenous, and all other people of color. When we do, we come closer to fulfilling the promise of poet Amanda Gorman’s words in “The Hill We Climb”:

We will not march back to what was
 but move to what shall be.
 A country that is bruised but whole,
 benevolent but bold,
 fierce and free.
 We will not be turned around
 or interrupted by intimidation
 because we know our inaction and inertia
 will be the inheritance of the next generation.
 Our blunders become their burdens.
 But one thing is certain:
 If we merge mercy with might,
 and might with right,
 then love becomes our legacy
 and change our children's birthright.