By Curt Detjen, president and CEO

Last week, eight people were killed, including six women of Asian descent, in Atlanta. This tragic incident again brings the issue of racism to a broader light, and highlights how important it is we create a welcoming and accepting community for ALL.

Much of the recent public conversations around race have been around the treatment of Blacks in America. However, in a new report released March 16, Stop AAPI Hate said it recorded 3,795 anti-Asian hate incidents in the US between March 19, 2020 – shortly after COVID-19 was declared a pandemic – and February 28, 2021. More than 500 of the incidents were recorded in 2021.

The work of Imagine Fox Cities, which developed a living vision for the region, aims to create the conditions so that everyone who calls this place home has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

To do that, we must stand together against racism to be the community we aspire to be.

We should rebuke any form of Asian prejudice and support Asian communities. Here are some ways you can support our local Asian communities now. Please join us to #StopAsianHate.

DONATE TO AND SUPPORT OUR LOCAL NONPROFIT PARTNERS FOCUSED ON AND LED BY ASIAN PEOPLE

• United Hmong American Association
• Hmong-American Partnership Fox Valley
• Hmong Youth for Excellence
• Us 2 Behavioral Health Care
• IndUS
• Northeast WI Hmong Professionals on Facebook

As well as the following statewide organizations:

• Wisconsin United Coalition of Mutual Assistance Association (WUCMAA)
• Cia Siab Inc. in La Crosse
• Freedom Inc. in Madison
• Hmong American Women’s Association in Milwaukee

LEARN HOW YOU CAN INTERVENE SAFELY

Attend Upstander Training offered by Lawrence University, which prepares participants to intervene safely and appropriately when witnessing incidents of discrimination, harassment, or harm.

Learn more and sign up here.

SHOP AND BUY FROM ASIAN-OWNED BUSINESSES

As individuals, as neighbors, as a region and as a nation, join us to mourn and to reflect on your commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and the rights and safety of every person.

As your community foundation, we will not sit idly by. We will take a stand for all our fellow neighbors.