Anti-Asian violence has been increasing over the last year after Trump linked COVID to China and Asia. We have been horrified by the attacks on Asian elders. Eight people were murdered by a white supremacist who targeted Asian spas in Georgia. It is absolutely despicable that the press and local police captain have tried to humanize the terrorist. Since this unconscionable event has taken place, there have been several Stop Asian Hate rallies organized. It was one such rally in Pittsburgh, PA that Sandra Oh came out to support. In a video captured by photojournalist Kristina Serafin, Sandra gave an impassioned speech about being proud to be Asian. Sandra stated that Asians belong in America just as much as anyone else. Below is more on the event from Access Online:
Local photojournalist Kristina Serafini captured Sandra’s powerful speech in a video posted to Twitter, and the clip quickly went viral.
“To everyone here…I will challenge everyone here: If you see something, will you help me? If you see one of our sisters and brothers in need, will you help us?” Sandra said, after acknowledging her gratitude for the opportunity to gather with other attendees and share their collective outrage.
“For many of us in our communities,” Sandra continued, “this is the first time we are even able to voice our fear and our anger, and I really am so grateful to everyone willing to listen…One thing that I know is that many in our community are very scared, and I understand that. And one way to go through and get through our fear is to reach out to our communities.”
The 49-year-old went on to encourage those listening to join forces, and she added how honored she felt to be able to express herself publicly.
“We must understand, as Asian-Americans, we just need to reach out our hand to our sisters and brothers and say, ‘Help me and I’m here,’” she added. “And just for one thing, I am proud to be Asian! I belong here! Many of us don’t get that chance to be able to say that, so I just wanted to give us an opportunity to be able to shout that. Thank you so much.”
I stand with my Asian brothers and sisters including those from South and Southeast Asia. This violence is feeling very much like what was happening to people who were from the Middle East or were Muslim adjacent after 9/11. We should all stand with the Asian community to combat this anti-Asian sentiment. White supremacy is a drug that needs to be eradicated. I have always been a fan of Sandra Oh and she will always be Christina Yang for me. Sandra has spoken up when it wasn’t popular to do so and is proud of her heritage. I love that she showed up at this rally and emphasized that are we connected to each other. People like Sandra Oh who have large platforms need to continue to speak out. Call and check in with your Asian friends and family and let them know you stand with them. I will no longer allow the divide and conquer attitudes that come from white supremacy to prevail. Because I truly believe that “what happens to one of us, happens to all of us.”
Actress Sandra Oh speaks during the Stop Asian Hate rally in Pittsburgh pic.twitter.com/Bgels4hNio
— Kristina Serafini (@KristinaS_Trib) March 20, 2021
Yong Ae Yue
Suncha Kim
Soon Chung Park
Hyun Jung Grant (maiden name Kim)
Daoyou Feng
Xiaojie Tan
Delaina Ashley Yaun
Paul Andre MichelsGrieve for them. Prioritize their stories. Learn how to say their names. Give what you can to their families. #StopAsianHate
— Eugene Lee Yang (@EugeneLeeYang) March 19, 2021
photos credit: Avalon.red and via Instagram
Thanks for covering the story.
White Supremacy is poison and no one is left unaffected. The rhetoric in the last year towards Asians and Americans of Asian descent has been disturbing precisely because it was so predictable, right out of the Klan Playbook. The end result is just as predictable which is even more tragic. All I can say is that I stand in solidarity.
It’s crazy how one person can spread so much hate into the world. It’s even crazier that people would buy into that hate and continue to spread it around like poison. This is what happens when you give hate speech a platform and call it freedom of speech, it is always followed by violence.
So true. That’s why it’s good that both the racist and misogynistic parts of this are being discussed. It’s a hate crime, whether any actual sex workers were involved or not. There’s a lot of drama around who and what Asian women and girls are allowed to defend- what kind of girls are worthy of representing us and receiving protection. Men and boys of all races see that, and hear people telling girls and women that their bodies are temptations that need to be removed. Racist language and misogynistic language both present dangers. It’s important to not give into terrorists of any race- that’s exactly what this man would have been called if he had been from somewhere else. Thank you Oya.
Thank you Oya
I’m glad I am seeing people standing up for asian-americans also. Asian-american, everywhere in NorthAmerica need to unite their voices. It’s time to take down the white supremacist mentality for all.
Thanks for writing this, Oya. I, too, stand in solidarity
Love Sandra Oh. Thank you for covering this. So much of this is being ignored in the media.
Also a huge shout out to Amber Ruffin. Her latest “How did we get here?” segment on Asian American racism is amazing. You should check out her other “How did we get here?” segments, as well.
Just wanted to comment as a sign of solidarity for the Asian American communities. I stand with you. ❤️