Stop Ignorance, Hate and Violence Against Asians

This past week has been a painful reminder that ignorance, hate and violence is still with us in the US, the UK, the EU and around the world. I am disgusted, saddened and horrified at the killings targeting Asian-Americans in Atlanta, Georgia. We also know that society is filled with daily ignorance, hate and violence including micro-aggression that anyone who doesn't look or act like the majority of people understands. THIS MUST STOP. Enough is enough.

This post was written by Doug Bruhnke - someone who looks like the majority - and so my apologies to Asians if I don't get something right here. Let me know. I can't possibly understand the real trauma that people facing this hate and violence are experiencing, directly and their families. I've been listening to speakers on Clubhouse all weekend - a 48 hour Protest with Asians & Allies - and my heart breaks with every story of how good people are treated badly every day.

In our global tribe it's fortunately rare to see ignorant and hateful things, and I would expect to never to see any violence. Global Chamber is a hate and violence free zone, and our values intend to reflect that here. That's because anyone doing business across borders needs to have basic interpersonal skills that respect everyone to keep business flowing. We need to stay vigilant to encourage all of us to keep learning and understanding, and being respectful and kind.

Three things I wanted to share today. FIRST we all stand with Asians, Pacific Islanders, Asian-Americans and everyone who is impacted from this latest round of ignorance, hate and violence. We support you and stand ready to help in any way that you need it. Please let me know.

SECOND here is a list of things that any of us can do today and this week to make a difference.

1. Listen. Be engaged. Beyond violence there are micro-aggressions that Asians face that are also unacceptable. These must no longer be tolerated, anywhere, anyplace... to anyone.
2. Reach out to someone and tell them you care. This was a message that Mi Jeong Hibbitts, Executive Director of Global Chamber Baltimore/Washington received this week that meant something to her, "This is a personal note and I hope I am not overstepping. I wanted to express my love and concern for you and your friends and family in the Asian community in light of the heinous act in GA. I have nothing but admiration and love for all cultures and am deeply grieved by all acts of racial hatred. Please accept my sincere well wishes."
3. Attend events in support, sign petitions and donate to funds. Programs are happening all over the country and world, like this one in Massachusetts here. Search and support, find petitions advocate anti-racism, write your legislators and find funds to support.
4. See something, say something. Choose to challenge. As you become more aware of discriminatory behaviors around you including ignorance, hate and violence, don't be quiet. There is often push back from people when you stand up for others. Be strong.
5. Be an ally at work and anywhere. Stop AAPI Hate found that 35% of hate happens at work, the #1 location. Be an ally for those who have different heritage, skin color, religion, gender and love partner... because they are facing issues almost every day that can not be tolerated.

THIRD we collectively need to make faster progress. This ignorance, hate and violence has existed forever, and we should be more evolved and enlightened as a society. Here I agree with Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. who wrote, "I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the [African-American's] great stumbling block in the stride toward freedom is not the White Citizens Councilor or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate who is more devoted to order than to justice." The killers are Klanners. And the people holding society back are the white moderates who won't speak up when faced with racism, when they can use their white privilege to actually impact change. They're comfortable and don't want to make noise that is uncomfortable to their friends. But their silence is aiding and abetting ignorance and hate, and so society needs them to speak out NOW.

So white moderates, STOP letting your friends say stupid, harmful or hateful comments, even when they are framed as 'just a joke'. Racial stereotypes are not funny and do NOT move us forward. STOP watching racially divisive news that fosters fear about immigrants and therefore an 'us versus them' mentality. STOP defending racist cartoons like the 6 old Dr. Seuss books that his family elected to no longer publish. Let's put those racist images in a history book to show how bad things used to be. Don't tell us that it's all OK, because you haven't consoled an Asian 2nd grader in a mostly white school after she/he has been made fun of because, after all it's in Dr. Seuss. Have empathy.

Cancel ignorance. Cancel hate. Cancel racism. Cancel violence. Be kind.

What are you doing today and this week to help our friends and neighbors?

If you're not an active part of the solution, you're part of the problem.

Doug Bruhnke - Global Chamber

ps. God created you for a reason. He created each of us for a purpose. Time is short... live your dreams, make a difference and act today.

pps. "You can't fight hate against anyone unless you fight hate against everyone." ~ Rev. Al Sharpton

ppps. First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—
     Because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—
     Because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
     Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

~ Martin Niemöller

Note from Wikipedia: Niemöller was a German Lutheran pastor and theologian who was an anti-Communist and supported Adolf Hitler's rise to power. But he became disillusioned and led a group of German clergymen opposed to Hitler. In 1937 he was arrested and eventually confined in Sachsenhausen and Dachau. He was released in 1945 by the Allies and continued his career in Germany as a clergyman and as a leading voice of penance and reconciliation.

pppps. Here are some additional resources on what to do, from PBS here and NBC here.

ppppps. Rallies against attacks and racism in SF and across California here (LA times).

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