This needs to stop. This past Tuesday, eight individuals were murdered in the Atlanta, Georgia area with six of these individuals being Asian American. These murders were racially motivated. The world has seen a disgusting rise of hate incidents against the AAPI amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Our nation has been pained and our communities are reeling by these incessant acts of violence, discrimination, and hate against our BIPOC communities. We are tired.
NASW-CA stands with these victims and their families and all others impacted by hate incidents; and demands justice, calling on policymakers and law enforcement officials to act swiftly in response to these murders and in public condemnation of all acts of racism and bigotry. As social workers, we commit to advocating for the betterment and safety of our communities, and we must continuously work alongside those we serve to educate them about the values of unity and nonjudgement. We must challenge our own selves to be anti-racist, holding ourselves and others accountable to continue to embody these principles in the ways we build and heal relationships. For social workers, our charge is aspire for liberation and that requires a collectivity in the ways we define and work towards equity and well-being for all.
Please consider joining NASW-CA in the movement to end AAPI hate. Join us for our event next week to learn how.