Ah Lunar New Year always deliver promises.As Asians and Asian Americans, we come together celebrate a promise A promise of prosperity, a promise of friendship, a promise of happiness.
And that promise was broken again on Saturday night when thousands of Asian Americans across the country gathered with their loved ones.
Families celebrate instead of the sound of firecrackers set to ward off evil spirits Gunshots heard in Monterey Park, California10 families mourning the loss of loved ones. I have 10 more hopes for my family’s recovery. And whole communities who expected a joyous celebration are once again terrorized.
Perpetrator’s motive unknown
On Sunday, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna identified the shooter as 72-year-old Fu Kang Tran. Tolan’s white van was found in Torrance, about 22 miles from the shooting.
“Our sheriff’s SWAT team approached and cleared the van and found the suspect with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Confirmed dead at the scenesaid Luna.
Trauma and Grief: Asian-Americans already in crisis after Lunar New Year shooting
I don’t know what the culprit’s motive is.What we do know is that this act of violence Chinese owned businessa predominantly Asian-American city, the community celebrated one of the most important holidays of the year, Lunar New Year.
For our community experiencing isolation, grief and anxiety, this shooting is heartbreaking. In a city like Monterey Park, 65% of residents are Asian Americanwhen elected officials are trusted members of our community, this violence is simultaneously shocking and has become all too common.
From March 2020 to the end of 2021, more than 10,900 Stop AAPI Hate cases were recorded Hate incidents against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States.
Crime witness: As a bystander of anti-Asian crimes, why didn’t I do anything? Here’s what experts say:
Worried about being attacked because of their race or ethnicity
This violence has changed our way of life. One in five of her Asian Americans says she fears being threatened or attacked every day, or almost every day. because of their race or ethnicity, according to the Pew Research Center. Our community continues to be tense, and the Monterey Park tragedy has heightened tensions.
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Despite these trends, many people in our country are not paying attention.more than one-third of Americans Unaware of increasing attacks against Asian Americansaccording to the STAATUS Index, American Perceptions of Asian Americans.
Regardless of what we continue to learn about this weekend’s attack, one thing is certain. It means that violence must end.
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We cannot face this violence alone. I call on the media to report this incident with honesty, empathy and accuracy. This story should not disappear from the headlines.
We also call on government officials and the general public to continue to prioritize addressing violence in all communities.
Finally, we thank our allies for responding to our call to support our community. An attack on one community is an attack on all communities.
Norman Chen CEO of the Asian American Foundation. Prior to his appointment to the TAAF, Cheng co-founded the non-profit He Leading Asian Americans to Unite for Change (LAAUNCH) to help produce groundbreaking research. status indexabout American attitudes towards Asian Americans.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY. Mass shooting in Monterey Park, California dashes Chinese New Year hopes