Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1360078
pandemic, according to the Pew Research Center. Fifth grade educator Chau Bao Nguyen says the constant threat of racism and misog yny means taking additional precautions and being mindful of her own safety whenever she leaves her home. "Unfortunately, this is a part of liv in g in our s o ci ety. I have to be aware and alert as a petite A s i a n - l o o k i n g w o m a n ," s a y s Ng uy e n , a n A s s o c i a t e d C h i n o Teachers member. "It's a stressful way to live, with the chronic anxiety from simply going to the store, work or school to fearing for your life." Student CTA member Amy Lo says she found it particularly disturbing to see many try to explain away the Atlanta murders as something other than racism, in the days that followed the tragedy. The aspiring educator says we need to do better at addressing the root cause of why white supremacy-fueled hate incidents happen so frequently in America — and taking action. "We can all do something to fight against this," says Lo. "Join an anti-hate organization, reach out to people who need sup- port, donate your money and time — do whatever you can, but do something!" Nguyen says that when educators learn the tools to take action against racism, hate and violence, and teach them to stu- dents, our communities become s a f e r a n d m o r e h a r m o n i o u s . "When hate arises, we have tools to handle it, so it doesn't turn into v iol enc e. Join y our equity and human rights committee through the union. Start one and create a support network for educators. For ever y child w ho learns the tools, one more person is safer and freer to be themselves." e CTA Pacific Asian American Caucus released a statement calling on all educators to raise awareness, join the fight and make a clear declaration against anti-Asian sentiments, violence and racism everywhere. Get Involved and Take Action • If you see something, say something. Report it at StopAAPIHate.org. • Share CTA's Pacific Asian American Caucus statement (cta.org/paacstatement). • Learn about and support the National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum (napawf.org). • Learn about and support AAPI organizations like Asian Americans Advancing Justice (advancingjustice-aajc.org). • Have courageous conversations with your family and friends about violence against Asian Americans and how you can fight against stereotypes and racism. • Research #StopAsianHate and #StopAAPIHate on social media and follow AAPI activists. "As educators, we can lead the way by teaching and celebrating AAPI history and culture, bringing awareness to these incidents, and letting your students, families and communities know you stand with the AAPI community," says CTA Board member Telly Tse. Associated Chino Teachers President Brenda Walker with Chau Bao Nguyen. "Join an anti-hate organization, reach out to people who need support, donate your money and time — do whatever you can, but do something!" —Amy Lo, Student CTA "Our community should know that we, as educators and a cornerstone of our society, are all in this together, and that we will not tolerate any violence, hostility, derogatory or negative attitudes toward our AAPI students, families, staff, or adminis- tration," the statement reads. "We must not only be committed to being anti-racist in our roles as educators, but we must call out racism and hate and stand up to them when we are con- fronted with them!" Caucus Chair Ken Tang says fighting white supremacy means speaking out, showing solidarity and being a part of the solution. "We need to work together. When you hear something, say something," says Tang. "We all need to do our part in checking our own biases and being better. We need to stop being divided. We need to be united." 37 A P R I L / M AY 2 0 21 Telly Tse Amy Lo