The motive for the tragic shooting in Monterey Park, California is still unclear — and may never be known. But one thing is very clear: regardless of motive, an attack on a group of Asian Americans gathering in celebration is a frightening event for Asian Americans everywhere and a call to action for all of us.
Unfortunately, we still live in a world where individuals are targeted merely for who they are. We are all called today to renew our commitment to interrogating the historical and contemporary reasons for this and finding a path toward a future where everyone can be safe.
The HUC stands in solidarity with our Asian/Asian American/Pacific Islander (AAPI) community on the South Shore, in Monterey Park, and everywhere. You belong here, and you are not alone. We hope everyone will join us as we continue to work to dismantle the structures and conditions in our society that perpetuate harassment, violence, and hate against individuals of any race, gender, class, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or national origin.
Below please find links to a number of resources, including a recording of the HUC AAPI panel discussion in case you missed it, as well as a powerful video by Vietnamese-American pop soul singer and songwriter KHA. We hope you will take a few moments to watch, read, and reflect. Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment.
HUC Statement in Support of AAPI (March 2021)
(includes resource links)
Video by artist KHA “No More” and more on her website
Mental Health & Related Resources:
Asian Mental Health Collective
Finding Mental Health in MA
National Alliance on Mental Illness
Commonwealth of MA AAPI Commission Resources