A word about . . . Anti-Asian racism

On March 16, 2021, a series of mass shootings occurred at three massage spas in the metropolitan area of Atlanta, Georgia. Eight people were killed, six of whom were Asian women, and one victim was critically wounded. Expressions of horror and sorrow along with anger made headlines, but people in some communities expressed surprise that anti-Asian racism even exists. While conversations, commentary, and scholarship on racism in our country are plentiful, often missing is focus on the racism experienced by Asian Americans and Asians living in the United States, who have long been the target of expressions of discrimination and hatred. Such racism can be traced back to the mid-nineteenth century; yet until the shooting in Atlanta, limited media, congregational, or scholarly attention was given to the increased anti-Asian racism that resulted when COVID was declared a global pandemic. Christian individuals, congregations, seminaries, and organizations must consider our best response to both the tragic events and the long-term embedded anti-Asian racism in US culture. Leaders, pastors, and professors must raise awareness and seek to address internal racism of all forms in our congregations and institutions.