Upcoming Webinars
Message From the President
Our Asian American communities are hurting. AACATX condemns the hate and violence against Asians and all citizens. It is time to care for one another and help stop racial bias. Understanding, educating, taking actions, and working together are just some of the few first steps to make our cities better places.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, I have been saddened to see the devastation of this country – the increase of hate, the insurrection of our Capitol, injustice of George Floyd and others, the economic impact of business closures, and now the growing number of attacks against the Asian American communities.
While serving as the President of AACATX, I have had the privilege to experience all the positiveness aspects of working alongside some of the finest and most dedicated individuals, advocacy organizations, and partners – we all have the utmost respect for one another and champion diversity. But we all know that hate, racism, stereotype, and discrimination exist.
Many in our Asian communities here are suffering from racial bias and hate… silently. We have small shop owners who are victims of daily verbal and physical abuse who remain silent due to fear of further escalations, we have nurses caring for patients who are asked to be reassigned because they are Asians, we have many Asian restaurant owners losing their businesses because patrons’ stereotype, we have elderly who are afraid to walk outside for fear of being attacked verbally or physically, and even young people like my great niece, who was bullied and called “Corona Girl” by high schoolers to illustrate how common xenophobia is.
I hope and pray that our country can be healed, and our communities can be safe from discrimination. We will not solve these racist problems overnight, but we can start the process. We all can make a difference, we all can take positive actions, and we all can stand for each other. I ask you to join AACATX and our Asian American communities to help STOP the Asian Hate.
Ken M. Tse, AIA, President
Asian American Contractors Association of Texas
Statement from the Mayor of Dallas
‘Hate has no place in our city’: Mayor Eric Johnson proclaims March 26 as ‘Stop Asian Hate Day’ in Dallas
The mayor said the community should continue talking about the need to end bigotry against Asian Americans and to use the hashtag #StopAsianHate on social media.
Author: Jozelyn Escobedo (WFAA)
Published: 12:30 PM CDT March 24, 2021
DALLAS — Mayor Eric Johnson has proclaimed Friday, March 26 as ‘Stop Asian Hate Day’ in Dallas. This comes after the deadly shooting spree at Asian spas last week in Atlanta.
“Dallas is a welcoming city, and Stop Asian Hate Day will help us mourn and renew our commitment to stopping poisonous hatred against our diverse communities,” Johnson said.
According to the group Stop AAPI Hate, more than 3,800 incidents of violence and harassment have been reported during the pandemic against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
Texas was ranked 4th highest with 103 cases, according to Stop AAPI Hate.
“I have been disturbed and disgusted by the attacks and bigotry directed at Asian Americans throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,” the mayor said. “Our hearts go out to all of those who have been affected by the rhetoric and violence we have seen against Asian Americans. It must stop.”
Johnson said the community should continue talking about the need to end bigotry against Asian Americans and to use the hashtag #StopAsianHate on social media.
“Hate has no place in our city or our country,” he said.
Below is the full text of the proclamation provided by Mayor Eric Johnson’s office – March 26, 2021:
WHEREAS, COVID-19 was not created or caused by any race, nationality or ethnicity, and the World Health Organization has cautioned against using geographic descriptors that can fuel ethnic and racial discrimination; and
WHEREAS, Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic last spring, however, there has been a sharp increase in the number of reported acts of discrimination, violence, and hate crimes committed against Asians Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States as well as countries across the world; and
WHEREAS, It is important to acknowledge this alarming occurrence, as it has affected the safety and security of people and businesses in the City of Dallas; and
WHEREAS, The March 16, 2021 murders of eight people, including six Asian American women, in Atlanta, Georgia, were tragic and reprehensible, and have drawn additional international attention to violence against the Asian American community; and
WHEREAS, Historically, violence affecting Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders has been sometimes overlooked or even dismissed. Other factors, such as language or cultural differences, distrust of police, or fear of repercussions for their immigration status if they are not citizens, can create further reluctance and barriers in reporting hate crimes to law enforcement; and
WHEREAS, Protests and mass demonstrations have been held to call for an end to violence against Asian Americans. Many individuals and organizations are rallying around the phrase “Stop Asian Hate” to raise awareness and educate others on this critical subject; and
WHEREAS, It is vital that the City of Dallas take leadership and stand in solidarity with its Asian residents and business owners to send a message that hate-motivated behavior or violence will not be tolerated; and
WHEREAS, The City of Dallas wishes to affirm its commitment to the well-being and safety of its Asian American community, and ensure they know they are not alone and that we are committed to ending the spread of all forms of hate and bigotry; and
WHEREAS, The City of Dallas denounces hate against Asian Americans and understands we must work together to fight against it. We are a welcoming, international city in which more than 43% of the population speaks a language other than English at home, and we believe our diversity is one of our strongest assets.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ERIC JOHNSON, Mayor of the City of Dallas, do hereby proclaim Friday, March 26, 2021, as STOP ASIAN HATE Day in Dallas.
Source: https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/mayor-eric-johnson-proclaims-march-26-as-stop-asian-hate-day-in-dallas/287-c519a9a1-a6d0-4335-87c8-4f9a167da0f7
Helpful Resources
- 7 Concrete Ways to Do Your Part for the Asian American Community Right Now
- Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (ACE)
- Stop Asian Hate: A Toolkit for Addressing Anti-Asian Bias, Discrimination, and Hate
- 5 things you can do in the moment if you witness racial harassment
- Donating, Volunteering, Reporting Hate Incidents: Here’s How to Help Combat Anti-Asian Violence
- World Unity Inc. The Sun Poem Initiative
Stop Asian Hate | Understanding Implicit Bias & Micro Aggression
Webinar Summary - May 6, 2021
- To contextualize the recent rises of Asian hate crimes.
- To create an open and safe space (brave space) to have hard conversations about racial attitudes in America.
- To explore one’s blind spots.
- To have increased awareness of what is implicit bias.
- To have increased awareness of what is micro-aggression.
- To learn how to response to the recent hate crimes, implicit bias, and micro-aggression.
- Don’t internalize the negative message.
- Recognize that it’s part of the person’s ignorance (meaning the person’s environment and past experience shape their thinking and behavior)
- Share your experience with those that you feel safe and can relate to you.
- Responding to micro-aggressions is challenging, and people may require encouragement from loved ones and support groups.
- At workplace, a mediator might be needed to address the conflict and come to a common goal.
Webinar summary provided by our presenter, Yan Q.Huo, Art of Wellness, LLC