Violence against Asian Americans worries community members in RI
The Providence Journal
By Jack Perry
March 31, 2021
​www.providencejournal.com/story/news/crime/2021/03/31/increased-violence-against-asian-americans-worries-community-members-ri/4806481001/

Growing up in Providence, Wing Chau, a Chinese American, was called "every name in the book," he says.

With family in the restaurant business, Chau finds "disheartening" the derogatory language some customers still use with staff members, but he says "I love Rhode Island" and welcomed the chance to return in 2019 to work as U.S. marshal in the state.

Like many, Chau is concerned about an increase in discrimination and acts of violence nationwide against Asian Americans during the coronavirus pandemic. He appreciated it when Acting U.S. Attorney for Rhode Island Richard B. Myrus called him, former Cranston Mayor Allan Fung, Pawtucket businessman Louis Yip and others together for a meeting last week to hear their concerns and show support.

Fung says he's unaware of any increase in discrimination or violence against members of the Chinese-American community in Rhode Island, but also says violent incidents from other parts of the country, such as New York City and California, have people worried about their safety.

"Locally, we've been very fortunate in that we have not in the Chinese community had any hate-crime issues," Fung said.

In Midtown Manhattan on Monday, a 65-year-old Asian-American woman was hospitalized with serious injuries after she was attacked. A man punched and kicked her and also hurled anti-Asian insults at her, USA TODAY reported.

In a statement, the New York Police Department called the incident "a hate crime assault" and said its Hate Crime Task Force was investigating. A suspect was arrested Tuesday night.

The New York City attack, which happened in daytime in front of witnesses who didn't intervene, is one of the most recent examples of violent crime against Asian Americans. Stop AAPI Hate, a national coalition that's trying to address anti-Asian discrimination, has received some 3,800 reports of "hate incidents" since March 2020, according to the organization.

"People are really concerned," said Yip, a former restaurateur who is now a real-estate developer. "I've heard it from small-business people and the elderly."

About 3.9%, or roughly 39,200 people, of Rhode Island's population is Asian, according to 2019 Census figures.

Chau, who is the first Asian American in the nation to serve as U.S. marshal, says Chinese Americans have been living with discrimination and derogatory comments for years, but tend to keep it to themselves.

"They're not a vocal community. They're very quiet. They don't even want to admit to even being victims," he said.

Some feel that their voices won't be heard, Chau says. That belief, he said, may reach back to an 1854 California Supreme Court ruling that a Chinese man who witnessed a murder by a white man could not testify at trial. The court said the Chinese were "a race of people whom nature has marked as inferior."

That's not the message Chau, Fung and Yip received during a meeting last week with Myrus and Amy Romero, an assistant U.S. attorney assigned to the civil-rights unit. Yip described the meeting as "very helpful." 

Myrus said he wanted to listen to the concerns of Asian American community members and "describe the resources that the Department of Justice has to address discrimination and hate crimes."

He said his office is "committed to protecting the civil rights of all Rhode Islanders.

“The United States Attorney’s Office condemns racism, xenophobia and intolerance," Myrus said in an emailed statement. "No one in America should fear violence because of his or her race, ethnicity or national origin."

Fung said the U.S. Attorney's Office was "very proactive" in reaching out and has offered to speak to community groups. Fung says he's been encouraged with the way public safety officials and governmental bodies in Rhode Island have made strong statements condemning discrimination and violence against Asian Americans.

One immediate result of the meeting should help members of the Chinese Christian Church of Rhode Island feel more comfortable, according to Fung and Yip.

The church in Pawtucket has been holding services remotely during the pandemic, but is planning to resume in-person services. Safety concerns were raised at the meeting, and the U.S. Attorney's Office helped arrange for a safety review of the church this week by public-safety officials, according to Yip.

"What's most important for us," Yip said, "is how to prevent [problems] from happening."

Chau said the message needs to be shared that discrimination and violence is "not acceptable." He said, "We need to educate people that they don't have to tolerate it."

The U.S. Attorney's Office can says people can report civil rights violations by calling the office's civil rights prosecutor at 401-709-5010 or download a form via the web at USARI.CivilRightsComplaint@usdoj.gov.

The FBI can be reached at 1-800-CALLFBI (225-5324) or at https://tips.fbi.gov/.​

Washington, D.C. – On Tuesday, March 16, 2021, eight Americans were shot and killed in Atlanta, Georgia. Six of them were Asian American women. We join people everywhere in mourning for the victims of the horrific mass shooting in Georgia. This attack comes amid the disturbing nationwide rise in violence against members of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, exacerbated by misinformation and fear of the COVID-19. 

Anti-Asian bias and hate crimes against our communities have existed for centuries and we are now seeing a new alarming resurgence of hate incidents. Since the start of the pandemic, Stop AAPI Hate has received over 3,795 reports of anti-Asian hate incidents. These incidents are no doubt the consequence of the harmful rhetoric that blames AAPIs for the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“AAPIs have faced racism and violence throughout our history, and today, this must end. We call on law enforcement authorities to investigate these tragic crimes to the fullest extent of the law and commit to protecting and supporting the AAPI community,” said Linh Hoang, Executive Director of the International Leadership Foundation (ILF), “We send our deepest condolences to the friends and families of the victims of the Georgia mass shooting and we honor them by speaking out against racism and hate by working together for a more inclusive and just future for all.”

ILF is committed to promoting a more inclusive and equitable society. Hate, violence, and bigotry have no home in America. Each of us has a responsibility to prevent misinformation, condemn violence, and unite to stand up for all fellow community members. We mourn for the victims in Georgia, we pledge our renewed commitment to work for a better future where people live with safety, dignity and respect. Asian Americans have contributed much to the founding and success of this nation; we will continue to work with our neighbors to create a brighter future for all.

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America Needs Leaders Like Elaine Chao
The Wall Street Journal
By Michelle Park Steel and Young Kim
March 10, 2021
https://www.wsj.com/articles/america-needs-leaders-like-elaine-chao-11615417968

She’s an inspiration to minorities and women and is under baseless attack.

As immigrants to the U.S., we are proud to be among the first Korean-American women to serve in Congress. We have sought, and encouraged others to seek, mentors who broke barriers for women and minorities. Secretary Elaine Chao is one of the women we have looked up to and counted on for guidance and advice throughout our careers.

When she became labor secretary in 2001, the Taiwan-born Ms. Chao was the first Asian-American woman appointed to a president’s cabinet. She is the longest-serving cabinet member since World War II, having also served as President Trump’s transportation secretary. Countless Asian-Americans like us have benefited from her tireless commitment to breaking barriers since she first came to this country on a cargo ship. 

As we build on her legacy and help inspire all Americans to achieve their dreams, we find it necessary to confront a disturbing distortion of her record. A barrage of news stories in the past week have highlighted an investigation of her conduct as transportation secretary. The Justice Department closed the probe without action and the ranking member of the House Oversight and Reform Committee concluded that Ms. Chao “followed ethics and financial disclosure rules.” That hasn’t stopped the media from suggesting otherwise.

Rep. Sam Graves, ranking member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, who worked directly with Ms. Chao’s Transportation Department, said the results of this investigation showed “this was a complete waste of time and taxpayer resources—and provides yet another unfortunate reminder of the lengths to which partisans will go to attack the achievements of an ideological opponent.”

March is Women’s History Month, as another reminder that we should work together every day to combat discrimination. Women and minorities have struggled for decades to earn the positions their skill, experience, and determination prepared them for. We continue to work every day to combat discrimination. We are proud to serve as part of the most diverse freshman class ever elected to the House. As hate crimes against Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders have risen across the U.S., we were honored to introduce and support a resolution condemning such acts.

Americans know that partisan attacks in Washington are commonplace. But this most recent round against Ms. Chao should be left behind, alongside the barriers she has broken for generations of women and countless Asian-Americans who have sought a life of public service.

Mrs. Steel and Mrs. Kim represent California’s 48th and 39th congressional districts, respectively.

Appeared in the March 11, 2021, print edition.

Washington, D.C. – The recent acts of violence and hate against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) has traumatized many AAPI families and caused much fear and concern amongst the AAPI community. According to Stop AAPI Hate, since March 2020 they have received over 2,800 incident reports of hate against Asian Americans from 47 states and the District of Columbia. Incidents include verbal harassment, physical assault, vandalism, and workplace discrimination. 
 
Since the surge of COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, there have been mounting reports of xenophobic and racist incidents targeting the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. A string of recent violent and deadly attacks on elderly Asian Americans has led to a much-heightened level of fear and concern.

The International Leadership Foundation is deeply disturbed with this trend and condemns these acts of hate. Furthermore, ILF encourages all our members to report all incidents of discrimination and hate crimes to local law enforcement, the FBI, and to the following AAPI organizations:

1)    Stop AAPI Hate: https://stopaapihate.org/
2)    Report A Hate Incident (OCA): https://www.ocanational.org/aapi-hate-incident-form
3)    Stand Against Hatred (AAJC): https://www.standagainsthatred.org/   

“Throughout this pandemic, we have seen a spike in anti-AAPI bias and hate crimes against members of the Asian-American Pacific Islander community, driven by xenophobia and misinformation. Racism of any kind is unacceptable and does not belong anywhere in our country. The International Leadership Foundation is committed to working with all stakeholders, including federal, state, and local officials, to raise awareness and proactively put a stop to these acts of violence,” said Linh Hoang, Executive Director of ILF. 

“We are outraged by the recent increase in anti-AAPI bias and hate crimes. These acts of violence affect all of us and all of our communities, which is why we are committed to fighting against such racism and standing up for our community at-large,” said Dr. Paul Hsu, Chairman of ILF, “We have conquered tough challenges before, and by working together we will overcome this.” 

As we start this new year, we cannot ignore the 19 million Americans who lack internet access. The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of universal broadband in economic growth and recovery. In the 21st century, internet access is an indispensable means to work from home, pursue education, and to communicate with our friends and family. Everyone must have access to this critical technology, especially during this crisis.
 
ILF strives to promote the economic effectiveness of the AAPI community – every year, we host an exciting business and leadership conference which includes a Global Strategic Economic Forum and Business to Business matchmaking. At 20 million strong, Asian Americans are a powerful economic force: nearly two million Asian American–owned small businesses generate $700 billion in annual GDP and employ around 3.5 million people. Yet, COVID-19 has illuminated ways in which Asian Americans have been disproportionately affected – unemployment rates among Asian Americans increased by more than 450 percent during the public health crisis.

As a vibrant economic powerhouse, the recovery of AAPI businesses will be essential in the revival of the economy in the country as a whole. To help AAPI and other minority businesses recover from the economic downturn of the pandemic, we urge Congress and the FCC to expedite and build on universal broadband initiatives. Expanding universal broadband to more Americans means small business owners will have access to the necessary digital infrastructure needed to participate in e-commerce, apply to relief programs, and compete in an increasingly global—and digital—marketplace. In order to give businesses the tools they need to thrive, universal broadband access is key.

We also take pride in preparing over thousands of AAPI college students nation-wide to become leaders in the public, business, academic, community, and professional fields. That is why the increasingly expanding “homework gap”, heightened by the pandemic, is alarming. An estimated 124,000 public and private K-12 schools and at least 55 million students are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic – with the gap noticeably more pronounced among minority communities. A survey found that roughly 1 in 10 AAPI Americans do not have ready access to computers and broadband. Equally important to broadband connectivity, we urge policymakers to enact comprehensive legislation to expand broadband adoption efforts such as digital literacy and affordability to help students access the devices and reliable connectivity they need to unlock their leadership potential. 
 
COVID-19 has alerted us to the need, more than ever, to ensure that AAPIs and other communities of color have access – and affordable options – to the digital resources they need. A new year, and new Administration, presents a new opportunity for our government leaders to reinvest and update existing programs to make broadband more accessible, affordable and sustainable. The pandemic has shown that it is not economically feasible for market forces and private companies to do it alone. It is time for Congress to take swift and bold actions to ensure the economic and educational success of all Americans. 

The International Leadership Foundation (ILF) is pleased to announce that we are now accepting applications for the 2021 Civic Fellowship Program. Every year, ILF’s selection committee identifies approximately 30 outstanding Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) college students to spend 8 to 10 weeks interning at a federal agency in Washington D.C. during the summer.
 
Students accepted into the program are known as Civic Fellows and will receive a stipend upon program completion. In addition to their full-time federal internships, they will attend professional development workshops and leadership training.  Fellows are responsible for their own travel, housing, and living expenses.
 
“One of ILF’s goals is to prepare and advocate for the next generation of leaders in public service,” said Dr. Paul Hsu, Chairman of ILF. “It is so important to increase exposure and understanding of civic engagement so that young leaders can take action to support their communities in relevant ways.”
 
"Developing next generation AAPI leaders is at the heart of our mission," said Linh Hoang, Executive Director of ILF." We help college students acquire the skills, experience, and insights necessary to become leaders and continue the fight of those who came before them. The ILF Civic Fellowship is a unique opportunity to jumpstart their careers and leadership journey." 
 
Undergraduate students of AAPI heritage are encouraged to apply. Requirements include United States citizens, minimum 3.0 GPA, and current undergraduate sophomores, juniors, or seniors. Additional documents such as an official transcript, resume, and at least one letter of recommendation is required. 
 
Applications are open now and must be submitted by January 22, 2021 at 5pm Eastern Time. 
 
To learn more or submit an application, please visit www.ilfnational.org
 
Important note: ILF anticipates the widespread availability of effective COVID-19 vaccines in the first half of 2021. Applicants should expect that summer internships will be on-site in Washington, DC. However, some or most internships may be virtual, depending on each agency’s policy. ILF will keep applicants informed during the application and placement process.
 
About ILF - International Leadership Foundation (ILF) is a non-profit organization that promotes civic engagement, leadership, empowerment, and economic prosperity of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community to enhance diversity in our country. The mission of ILF is to cultivate civic-minded future AAPI leaders. Founded in 2000, ILF has provided scholarships, leadership training, and educational programs to over 10,000 AAPI students.

Washington, DC – The International Leadership Foundation (ILF) congratulates President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on their win.  Kamala  Harris will be the first AAPI woman and woman of Color as Vice- President in American history. 

“We celebrate Vice President-elect Kamala Harris’ smashing the glass ceiling as she becomes the first woman, first Black woman, first Asian American to be elected to national office. Representation matters, and Vice President-elect Harris will continue to inspire so many AAPI to run for office and to get involved in public service.” stated Linh D. Hoang, Executive Director of ILF, "This is a pivotal time for our country, our economy, and for generations to come. Now is the time for a new era of inclusion, opportunity, and innovation. Together, we will work to heal our nation and rebuild stronger than ever before.” 
​
ILF encourages the Biden-Harris administration to fill the positions in the administration with racial and gender equality.  ILF is ready to work with the Biden administration and elected leaders across the nation to restore public health, revitalize our economy, rebuild American lives and communities, and empower next generation leaders to lead change.  It is our civic responsibility to unite our country and encourage more young people to engage in civic life. 

​As the country continues to grapple with an unprecedented public health and economic crisis, millions of families and business owners are left with no choice but to conduct their lives and responsibilities remotely – away from offices, schools, and other social settings. Increasingly, our communities depend on internet access to connect with loved ones, attend online classes, video conference into office meetings, and manage businesses without putting themselves or others in harms way.  
 
As important as connectivity is, the pandemic has shown that broadband accessibility and affordability eludes far too many households – and especially communities of color and rural Americans. According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) 18 million people lack broadband internet service across the U.S. today. Our leaders must address the growing digital divide to help people and businesses weather the negative economic impacts of the pandemic, and to give them access to the digital infrastructure they need to prosper in a post COVID-19 economy.  
 
We are active participants in our community – more than half a million AAPI-owned employer firms in the United States – and take pride in positively contributing to America’s success as a global hub for talent, innovation, and growth. From hosting business and leadership conferences to offering competitive fellowship programs in the nation’s capital, ILF strives to promote the economic effectiveness of the AAPI community. That is why we urge Congress and the FCC to hasten their initiatives to make universal broadband a reality for more Americans. 
 
The digital divide in our community – intensified by the COVID-19 crisis – jeopardizes, and in some cases has already back-pedaled, the economic advancements accomplished by AAPI-owned businesses. The scale of the looming crisis for all small businesses is unprecedented.  According one report published in April of this year, “nearly 7.5 million small businesses may be at risk of closing permanently over the coming five months.” Small businesses are the lifeblood of the American economy and often serve other important social functions in minority communities. Broadband connectivity will give these businesses a fair shot at adapting to a world of e-commerce and remote services.
 
We take pride in our core values and mission to develop the next generation of AAPI leaders in both the public and private sector. That is why the growing “homework gap” that accompanies the digital divide is so alarming. According to Pew, the homework gap is more pronounced for minority and low-income households, and 15% of U.S. households with school-aged children do not have a home broadband connection. If we want our communities to recover and emerge from this difficult time ready to succeed, we need to unlock all the talent and potential in AAPI and other minority communities across the country. Internet access is a necessary and important step toward meeting this goal.
 
What we need is swift and bold action. We commend Congress and FCC for their renewed push to provide the necessary tools and resources to expand broadband access and investment across the county, but more needs to be done – and soon. The pandemic has made clear that private investment on its own is not economically feasible and legacy government infrastructure funding initiatives have not properly filled in the gaps of the digital divide in America.
 
A vibrant, connected AAPI community can contribute to a swift economic recovery. Today’s economic hurdles can be offset with smart, responsible investment in our broadband infrastructure – a welcomed, and urgent, measure necessary for AAPI’s businesses and leaders to prosper now and in the future.  

​We join in solidarity with the Black community and those who are peacefully protesting around the country in the continuing struggle against racism and injustice. We strongly condemn police violence and racism in all their forms and deeply grieve the killing of George Floyd in Minnesota. 
 
As we strive to be inclusive and to amplify the voices of those who are marginalized, we must redouble our commitment and efforts - individually and collectively - to support the Black community and engage in this work as agents of change in the United States. 
 
Each of us is called today to stand against injustice and the wanton murders of our fellow citizens, and to renew a nation dedicated to upholding the values of justice and equality for all. We must come together as communities of our allies, friends, and neighbors, business leaders and decision makers to stop this crisis once and for all.