We are heartbroken and sickened by the violence that occurred yesterday in Atlanta, GA, resulting in serious injury and tragic loss of life. We send out our deep condolences to the Asian American and Pacific Islander community and every family and individual impacted by this senseless act of violence and terror.
This is not an isolated incident. In our nation, Asian, Black, Brown, Indigenous, and People of Color continue to live in a sustained state of grief and terror. According to research from Stop AAPI Hate, there have been at least 3,795 racially-motivated attacks against Asian Americans since just last March. This staggering number likely represents just a fraction of actual hate incidents. Moreover, this is not only an act of White supremacy, but also a brutal act of misogyny. Until all systems of oppression are eradicated, our work is not done. In the words of Chinese American civil rights activist and educator Grace Lee Boggs, “You cannot change any society unless you take responsibility for it, unless you see yourself as belonging to it and responsible for changing it.”
WA Charters commits to speaking truth to power and joining in this struggle with our Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander brothers and sisters against racism, misogyny, and white supremacist domestic terror. We lock our arms in solidarity with individuals all over the country facing this devastating wave of anti-Asian violence and terror.
To our Asian, Asian American and Pacific Islander young people, colleagues, families, and community members: We see you, we value you, and we will not allow oppressive systems and people to make you feel invisible.
Disrupting systems of racism and oppression is in direct relationship with how we continue to care for and be in solidarity with our beloved communities. Educating our charter public school community must include critically analyzing historical context, disrupting and transforming systems of oppression, and understanding issues of privilege and power. We are committed to continuing this active education with you, our beloved community, as we evolve into more anti-racist and ethical human beings and organizations.
For more information, please explore our Antiracism Resources. Please continue to take care of yourselves and each other in this struggle for anti-racism, liberation, and justice.