Celebrities are speaking out in regard to the tragic Atlanta-area spa shootings [1] on 16 March in America, which left eight people dead, six of whom were women of Asian descent. The killings come amid the recent wave of attacks against Asian Americans [2], resulting in many of the responses being a mix of grief, anger, and frustration at the consistent and unchecked barrage of racism and violence.
"These murders and countless acts of violence and the destruction of businesses and white terrorism in our communities are the direct cause of politicians and leaders fanning the flames of anti-Asian rhetoric and using us as a scapegoat for a global pandemic. Historically Asian immigrants have been the scapegoat for others misfortunes. This ends now," Jamie Chung said in an Instagram post [3] on 17 March. She is not alone, with stars like Daniel Dae Kim, Lana Condor, George Takei, and more using social media to share their sentiments concerning the recent shooting and attacks. You can read their statements in full ahead.
Shannon Lee
In a series of tweets [5] on Wednesday, Bruce Lee's daughter penned the following note:
This is where "kung flu" leads. You think it's a joke and that we shouldn't be so serious about it. But then there are those who latch onto it with hatred and xenophobia and use it to fuel their fear and contempt until it explodes into heinous acts. This is what happens when we try to break the oneness into separate parts and decide to categorize and rank the parts as good and bad, better or worse, belonging or not belonging. What would it cost you to decide we are all one family? But really? What is lost by transforming contempt to acceptance?
It's time to look within and ask yourself, do I want to be at peace? Can I operate from love? Will I stand with my human family and embody the end of hate? You're invited to the family gathering. Please join us.