The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to convene a working group to address rising hate and violence against Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.
Supervisors Janice Hahn and Holly Mitchell co-authored a motion calling for the new effort of the county’s existing Anti-Racism, Diversity and Inclusion initiative.
“The escalation of attacks against AAPI Americans has been a heartbreaking reminder of how far we have to go toward building a society where everyone can feel safe, accepted, and equal,” Hahn said. “L.A. County’s Anti- Racism, Diversity and Inclusion Initiative was a response to the racism targeted at the Black community, but this is a framework we need to use to help the AAPI community now.”
The ARDI was launched last July in the midst of civil unrest and growing support for the Black Lives Matter movement and is specifically geared to address racism against Black residents. Mitchell said it was important to her that the board also consider setting up an Equity and Diversity Fund and partner on research to better understand hate, bias and discrimination against all communities of color, which she asked to be included in the motion.
“We pay for what we believe in,” Mitchell said, asking that the initial funding target be set at $1 million. “The rise in hate crimes against the Asian American community and long-standing injustices impacting the Black community and communities of color require a sustained investment to ending all forms of hate and systemic racism.”
ARDI Executive Director D’Artagnan Scorza highlighted attacks on Asian Americans nationwide and said Los Angeles County is far from immune. He called on everyone to fight back.
“Let’s all remember that hate against any one of us is a threat and harm to all of us, and that we all have a collective responsibility to keep each other safe,” Scorza told the board.
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Claire says
On January 28, 2021 an 84-year-old Thai immigrant was violently shoved; he sustained a brain hemorrhage and died; a loving, kind, gentle man killed by hate. The list is long, and because we have computers to look up facts from reliable sources, as compassionate people let us take the time to mourn all the hate, all the violence perpetrated against those that might be different from us. When one person is murdered it impacts many for generations. Asian immigrants have been brutalized by hatred since coming to this nation, placed in internment camps, etc.
John Evans says
Claire, shoved by who, why and where? Details. Or are the details too telling?
Address says
And of course nothing was mentioned about anti-White racism in society.
Your Black Neighbor (: says
Whew! What a privilege it must be to never fear walking out your door at any given time. To never fear another white person may harm you because you look different, in a community of white people. Oh how sad your entire life must be!!
John Evans says
Dear Black Neighbor, there is no such privilege of which you speak. All are capable of evil. It is individual to the actor of evil. To excuse evil as tolerance or understanding is to play the sheep for the slaughter. Jesse Jackson expressed his fear of black street thugs, and I dare say armed guards in Paris, Seoul, Tokyo or Zimbabwe protecting its leaders are not there to protect against Hondurans any more than the guards in Peking.
The promise of the Constitution is that the People govern in an ordered society. The promise of Christianity is that there are no distinguishments among people in God’s kingdom based on worldly biases. The challenge is that these ideals exist in a world of sinners, not saints. It is work to gain respect and trust in a sinful world as there are too many who blame imaginary others for their unrealized wants and desires. The first Maxim is “Do unto others as you would have them Do unto you.” The second is “Seek to understand first before you seek to be understood.”
Dave says
John Evans.
You have no credibility here or anywhere. You’ve shown that many times.
John Evans says
Dave, define credibility, and your reply demonstrates what exactly? For too long you have been a resounding gong and a clanging cymbal signifying nothing.
John Evans says
Let’s get off the non-profit public interest group made up emergency of the day propaganda. Until an article reports incidents, numbers, details, articles such as this provide nothing but intellectual noise pollution. A complete waste. Without details it’s an emotional pile of farce. And no BS polls. Details. You’re being played because these emotional assassins rely on you being too timid to require and digest details. Ask yourself why this, why now? Details, not false narrative (lies) or political posturing. Details!