"Statement Against Anti-Asian Violence"

You can go here to read the statement of my colleague Kevin Lee but it's short and clear and direct enough for me to reproduce below:

I write today as a proud Asian American. While there is a long history of violence against Asians in this country, the events of the last year, culminating in the mass murder of Asian American women in Atlanta, have been particularly troubling. They call to me for a response. It has been quite a year. Not only has it been marked by anti-Asian statements from President Trump and other Republicans, but also by the murder of George Floyd, which also involved a Hmong officer. It is a moment that calls for reflection on the Asian American experience in this country.

As a Korean American, I was brought up with stories about my father’s experience during the Korean War, which was his first real encounter with Americans. I remember most his admiration and gratitude for the United States Marine Corp. These men, he would say, knew what honor means. It’s not just a word, it’s a way of life. They died on the cliffs of Inchon to make Korea free, I would not be alive today if they had not. And I am forever in their debt and will always respect their valor, as with so many men and women in every branch of the military.

It is their memory and my profound respect for this nation’s commitment to justice and liberty that shapes my thoughts tonight. America does not persecute the vulnerable. Those men did not die on those cliffs so that Asians can be the butt of a joke or a victim of a hate crime. I am deeply saddened tonight because so many people seem to have forgotten this. And in doing so, they dishonor the service of men and women who died so that Asians like my father could be free. They do not know the disservice they do to their memory. Those who died fought for the finest traditions of this great nation; to liberate and sacrifice for liberty, and ask nothing in return other than a few acres to bury our honored dead.

I call on all Americans to denounce violence against Asian Americans because this violence is un-American. Our nation is great precisely because of the sacrifices that so many have given. Do not dishonor our country, our flag, and our honored dead. Stand up, as they did, for equality, justice, and freedom for all people, everywhere.

For the most recent statistics on violence against Asians in America go here to read Criminal Victimization, 2018, a bulletin from the U.S. Department of Justice. Table 14 on page 13 is captioned "Percent of violent incidents, by victim and offender race or ethnicity". With no explanation, specific data with respect to Asians is not displayed in the 2019 version of this bulletin although there is some interesting textual discussion on pages 17-21.