Statement to Condemn Asian Hate from NAEYC Asian Interest Forum

  • Written by SCAEYC
  • April 1, 2021 at 9:34 am
  • Statement to Condemn Asian Hate
    from NAEYC Asian Interest Forum,
    in Solidarity with People of Color Caucus

    It is with a heavy heart that the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Asian Interest Forum (AIF) condemns the tragic murders in Atlanta, Georgia, which resulted in eight deaths, including six Asian women. We stand with the families of the victims and offer our sincere condolences. We share their pain, as we grapple with the truth that such an attack could have happened to any one of us Asian Americans. In light of these heartbreaking events, we are appalled, angry, and deeply saddened.

    This incident is not an isolated one. More than 3,800 anti-Asian hate crimes have been reported in the past year alone, with a significant number of these attacks directed at Asian women. In addition, since many of these incidents never get reported, this statistic is likely a grim underestimate. Harassment and violence against Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) persons, families, and communities have increased since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, due to inflammatory rhetoric and anti-Asian xenophobia. We denounce all instances of violence against Asian Americans and stand in solidarity as members and allies of the Asian American community.

    It is our duty as early childhood educators to provide space for all children to have honest conversations about racism, discrimination, and bias. We must teach our children to recognize instances of systematic discrimination and institutionalized racism from a young age. It is our job to help children who are witnessing such racism by teaching them to call out the injustices we experience in our communities.

    As Asian Americans, we share equal rights with every American in the land of the free. We refuse to be continuously identified as the model minority, and we refuse to stay silent. Hear our anger, our voices, and join us in condemning hatred and violence toward our Asian co-workers, parents, children, and relatives. We must stand up and advocate for one another when ignorance and bigotry threaten members of our community. Let us unite in the fight against Asian hate.

    In solidarity,
    Sandy Baba, Ph.D., Shu-Chen Jenny Yen, Ph.D., NAEYC Asian Interest Forum Facilitators.

    Co-signed by NAEYC People of Color Caucus Executive Committee, and later signed by Peace Educators Allied for Children Everywhere, Inc.
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