Just yesterday, March 15th, eight people were shot and killed in three shootings in Atlanta-area spas. Six of the eight victims were Asian females. While the killer's motive is unclear, many have reason to believe this was a hate crime against Asian Americans.
The suspected shooter is 21-year old Robert Aaron Long, who claims the attacks were not racially motivated.
However, it is hard to ignore the reality that attacks against the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities have been recurring.
Many celebrities and public figures have used their platform and their voice throughout this difficult and scary time for these communities. Among some of them are the following.
George Takei on Twitter
Whether the killer went in with intent to kill Asian women or he just happened to go to three different Asian estab… https://t.co/fKPlPsEB5m— George Takei (@George Takei) 1615996745
Star Trek star George Takei took to Twitter to share insight on the racist implications the killing had, stating that the "intent to kill those inside doesn't change the racial nature of these murders."
Lana Condor
Wake up... your Asian friends and family are deeply scared, horrified, sick to their stomachs and wildly angry. Ple… https://t.co/gXFEKy5oVp— Lana Condor (@Lana Condor) 1615960497
To All The Boys I've Loved Before lead Lana Condor encouraged followers to "wake up" to the grief and anger that Asian communities are facing. Later, she responded to fans with another tweet that read "You guys don't know how much your kind words mean to me right now I love you so much wow"
LeBron James
My condolences goes out to the families of all the victims and the entire Asian community tonight on what transpire… https://t.co/c2iNJRMRG4— LeBron James (@LeBron James) 1615962680
LeBron James shared his sympathy for the victim's families and the entire Asian community.
Daniel Dae Kim
The race of the person committing the crime matters less than the simple fact that if you act with hate in your hea… https://t.co/pFG7pkXIeE— Daniel Dae Kim (@Daniel Dae Kim) 1615959211
Actor and vocal activist for the #StopAsianHate movement Daniel Dae Kim shared a message on Twitter that addresses the killer and those who choose not to speak up. “And to those with the power to help and yet sit idly by, your silence is complicity." He chided.
John Legend
Absolutely horrible. Sending love to all the loved ones of those whose lives were taken. Our nation needs to reckon… https://t.co/jWxCr0vgzS— John Legend (@John Legend) 1615946534
John Legend used his platform to make a statement amid the brutal threats placed upon the Asian-American community.
Tobias Harris
Sending love, support, and solidarity to the Asian community. We cannot accept hate in any form and must all do our… https://t.co/AHkRAC0wBQ— Tobias Harris (@Tobias Harris) 1615993856
76ers player Tobias Harris took to Twitter to speak out amid the recent attacks stating, "We cannot accept hate in any form and must all do our part to be better people. #StopAsianHate"
Mindy Kaling
The targeting of our Asian brothers and sisters is sickening, but not surprising given the normalizing of anti-Asia… https://t.co/pXaeNXqYTv— Mindy Kaling (@Mindy Kaling) 1615955923
Mindy Kaling says "enough is enough!" and calls the Atlanta shootings "not surprising given the normalizing of anti-Asian hate".
Ava DuVernay
The hashtag #StopAsianHate is rightly trending. How do we do that beyond just tweeting? Some ideas. Examine stereot… https://t.co/5S0sXTyxfn— Ava DuVernay (@Ava DuVernay) 1615995978
Filmmaker Ava DuVernay shared a poignant statement that encourages activism beyond the tweet. "Examine stereotypes you hold about Asian people. Work to dismantle that within yourself." She advised.
