The avalanche of pain caused by the tragic spa shootings in the Atlanta area in March was all too familiar to many Asian Americans. The shocking violence — resulting in the deaths of eight people, six of whom were women of Asian descent — prompted vigils, marches, and demands to stop the Asian hate.
But we have been here before — moments filled with racism, hate, and fear.
Asian Americans have endured everything from physical attacks and verbal harassment to civil rights violations and online bullying this year, according to a national report released by Stop AAPI Hate, an organization formed in the wake of the escalating bigotry during the coronavirus pandemic. While the 3,795 incidents reported to Stop AAPI Hate from March 2020 to Feb. 2021 were troubling, the organization says they reflect only a fraction of the incidents that have taken place, as many go unreported.
We want to hear from Asian American students and allies. How are you and your school community talking about racist violence and the targeting of Asian Americans? What should we be talking more about? What are your most pressing concerns and your deepest wishes? Chalkbeat asked Black students similar questions after the death of George Floyd last spring.
We invite students to answer any (or all) of the survey questions below. This form is confidential. But if you are OK with Chalkbeat publishing your answers, along with your name and the city where you’re from, let us know at the end. We won’t publish your contact information. We just ask for it in case we have a follow-up question or clarification.
We also know that some of you might be interested in writing more on this topic — and we encourage you to read our First Person guidelines and consider pitching a personal essay.
Please submit your thoughts by April 9. Select responses will be published on Chalkbeat’s website and social media channels. We can’t wait to hear from you.
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