From March 2020 – March 2021, StopAAPIHate, a nonprofit social organization that tracks incidents of discrimination, hate, and xenophobia against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States, has received almost 4,000 reports of anti-Asian hate incidents. 

On Tuesday, March 16th, 8 people, including 6 Asian women, were violently shot dead at 3 spa businesses located in metro Atlanta. The suspect, Robert Aaron Long (21), has been arrested and charged with eight counts of murder and one count of aggravated assault for the incidents. Currently, he is detained at the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center and is expected to face a judge within the next few days. Although the police have not yet stated a confirmed motive about the crimes, there is a spike in attacks directly targeting the Asian American community, leading many to believe that it was a hate crime. However, the suspect was on his way to Florida to “perhaps carry out additional shootings,” the Atlanta mayor said. 

The current 6 known people who were brutally murdered by the man were:

Delaina Ashley Yaun

Paul Andre Michels

XiaJie Tan

Daoyou Feng

Julie Park

Park Hyeon Jeong

According to the New York Times, “The gunman told the police that he had a ‘sexual addiction’ and had carried out the shootings at the massage parlors to eliminate his ‘temptation,’… He also said that he had frequented massage parlors in the past and launched the attacks as a form of vengeance.”

Many famous celebrities, politicians, athletes, and more had heartfelt comments on the tragedy that transpired in Atlanta:

“Even as we’ve battled the pandemic, we’ve continued to neglect the longer-lasting epidemic of gun violence in America. Although the shooter’s motive is not yet clear, the identity of victims underscores an alarming rise in anti-Asian violence that must end. Yesterday’s shooting is another tragic reminder that we have far more work to do to put in place common-sense gun safety laws and root out the persuasive patterns of hatred and violence in our society. Michelle and I pray for the victims, their families, everyone grieving these needless and devastating killings- and we urge meaningful action that will save lives.” – Barack Obama, 44th US President

“My condolences go out to the families of all victims and the entire Asian community tonight on what transpired in Atlanta at the Aromatherapy Spa. Coward a** young man!! Just senseless and tragic!!”  – LeBron James, American Professional Basketball Player

“Dismantling racist, anti-Asian violence means standing up to white supremacy – the same ideology that asks us to empathize with those who commit racist violence rather than the families destroyed and communities targeted by it. #StopAsianHate … Eight lives were violently taken last night. AAPI families and communities across the country are living in fear. Standing up for Asian communities means standing up to a racist policy, anti-Asian tropes, & understanding the long history of anti-Asian racism fueling this violence.”   – Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), US Representative

“In less than 48 hours, the Asian American community had a historic Asian Oscar moment with many firsts in 93 years – then a mass shooting targeting 3 Asian-owned businesses. This is how terrorism works – you’re not allowed to feel safe, accepted, or valued. We can resist. Take up space. Make noise.” – Minjin Lee, Korean-American Best Selling Author

“This is sooo heartbreaking…praying for our world. To my Asian American family, please take time to grieve but know you’re loved, seen, and IMPORTANT. We have to keep standing up, speaking out, rallying together, and fighting for change. We cannot lose hope!! “– Jeremy Lin, Professional Basketball Player

“A disgusting and disturbing example of how the spread of domestic terrorism has been allowed to torment communities. These acts are the visible manifestation of hateful words birthing hateful acts! An attack on ONE is an attack on ALL! #StopAsianHate “– The NAACP

“The targeting of our Asian brothers and sisters is sickening, but not surprising given the normalizing of anti-Asian hate speech in the past year. We have to #StopAsianHate, enough is enough!” – Mindy Kaling, American Actress

“My heart goes out to the families and communities of the eight people murdered at metro-Atlanta spas. I am deeply saddened that we live in a nation and world permeated by hate and violence. I stand with Asian members of our World House, who are a part of our global human family.” – Bernice King, the youngest child of Civil Rights Leader Martin Luther King Jr.

“The hypersexualization of Asian women plays a HUGE part in the violence we face. I’ve been cornered on the street as men say ‘me love you long time.’ I’ve been offered money for a ‘happy ending massage.’ I’ve been hit on because I’m Asian and told it’s a ‘compliment.’ Asian women are so often seen and treated as objects, as trophies, and this very real problem is often seen as a punchline.” – Christine Liwag Dixon, Filipino-American Writer and Musician

“Now do you understand why calling it the “China Virus” can fuel real life and death consequences for Asians and Asian-Americans?” – Ayman Mohyeldin, American Journalist

“Feeling overwhelming grief at the senseless murder of 8 people in Atlanta. Still much we don’t know, but it’s clear to me that the shooter specifically targeted Asian women. Praying for the victims’ families, and for my Asian sisters.”  – Simu Liu, Canadian Actor and Writer

The list goes on. Finally, people are gaining awareness of the recent hate crimes against the Asian American community and how it’s made Asian Americans fearful of their lives this past year. Asian Americans will no longer be silent nor silenced. Their voice matters, always. People will expropriate, borrow, or even merely enjoy Asian culture through appearance, clothing, food, entertainment, or music, yet they will continue to sustain Asian stereotypes and mock them, which is wrong and unacceptable.

My heart goes out to the families and loved ones of those whose lives were taken so quickly and so tragically. This should never have happened, and it should never be repeated. We need to protect Asian lives and stop Asian hate. May the victims rest in peace.