The horrific attack in Atlanta that has resulted in the murder of eight people, six of whom were of Asian descent and seven of whom are women, sends yet another bell of alarm in a nation already besieged and undermined by division and hate. We have been witnessing an escalation of xenophobia and violence, with this recent act of terrorism serving as one of many examples and byproducts of anti-Asian American racism. It is also of critical importance to point out that misogyny occurs at the root of many violent forms of extremism, including white supremacy. Indeed, as documented by Stop AAPI Hate (https://stopaapihate.org/), since the pandemic’s inception, 68% of the victims of such anti-Asian incidents have been women.
The Center for Health Equity Transformation (CHET) is united with all people and is committed to calling out and working to rectify hatred, misogyny, racism, and xenophobia. We grieve the loss, suffering, and anxiety of the Asian community impacted by this violent, xenophobic, and racist attack. We call on each of us to speak out against this and every other act of bias and violence, to seek and secure justice, and to work to end all forms of structural and personal racism. Our lives and our nation depend on it.
Nancy E. Schoenberg, Ph.D.
Marion Pearsall Professor of Behavioral Science
Director, Center for Health Equity Transformation (CHET)
Associate Vice President for Research, Health Disparities
Associate Director, UK Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences