Stop Asian Hate

TW: description of anti-Asian violence

We stand with the Asian community, hate has no home in FRU ~~

In the past year, attacks against the Asian community have skyrocketed, and are escalating each day, with Asian women targeted in the majority (68%) of these attacks. This needs to be stopped.

On Tuesday March 16th, a gunman murdered 8 people at three Asian-run massage spas in Atlanta; 6 of the victims were Asian women. It is important to recognize these attacks for what they are: racist and misogynistic hate crimes.

To do so, it is necessary to understand how, for well over a century, the fetishization of Asian women has been weaponized to dehumanize Asian women, and has also created avenues to exploit Asian women through coerced s3x work, particularly those who are refugees or immigrants.

Fetishization is extremely harmful and serves to strip people of their humanity. The gunman is reported to have referred to the victims as “temptations” he was seeking to “eliminate.” The victims were people, human beings with full lives and families they loved and supported… yet his words show how they were dehumanized and reduced to “temptations” to be rid of.

Fetishization is dehumanizing.

Fetishization enables violence and exploitation.

Fetishization is NOT “just a preference.”

Fetishization is NOT a compliment.

There is also a recognized link between some massage spas and s3x work, which has been raised in discussions around this attack. Locals in the Piedmont District of Atlanta (where two of the targeted businesses were located) have been reported as referring to the area as an unofficial “red-light district” of Atlanta, with several openly adult-themed businesses present.

Discussions around the attack in Atlanta have characterized these businesses and the victims as possibly engaging in s3x work and repeated the gunman's claims of "s3x addiction"* in denial of any racial motive for these attacks.

However, regardless of whether or not the victims of these crimes were involved in s3x work, or whether the businesses themselves provided s3xual services, does not erase the racist nature of these crimes. The reported “s3x addiction”* motivation behind this attack does not negate the racist and misogynistic motivations behind this attack. (* “s3x addiction” is a colloquialism not recognized as a disorder or addiction)

The gunman drove 30 miles between the first business he targeted and the last two, passing by the many strip clubs and adult entertainment venues in Atlanta. In a city that is only 4% Asian, the gunman chose 3 specifically Asian-run businesses to target, and 6/8 victims are Asian women.

Despite evidence of racial bias, many publicized attacks during the pandemic have not been treated as hate crimes. To stop hate we must recognize it and call it what it is when we see it.

Please take steps to get educated and listen to AAPI voices, actively unlearn anti-Asian biases and stereotypes, hold space for your Asian friends, family, coworkers, and community, and condemn hate when you see it happening. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

✅ Want to help? To start. If you see something, say something. Make reports to https://stopaapihate.org/

✅Change your feed! Follow @stopaapihate on insta to help get educated or @intersectional.abc @kimsaira @dearasianamericans @dearasianyouth

✅Support Asian business which were hit even harder during the pandemic due to anti-Asian discrimination. Shop local. Eat local. (Note: when ordering from local restaurants, check the business’ website for options to order direct online or call to order! Taking a couple extra minutes to do this means more money goes directly to support these businesses in need rather than the 3rd parties that take big cuts.)

❤ If you are AAPI and feel like you have a story to share, or a business to promote please DM us. We love you and stand with you.

📚Anti-Asian Violence Resources and Education: https://anti-asianviolenceresources.carrd.co/

#StopAsianHate #StopAAPIHate