Story at a glance
- Eight people were killed in a series of shootings in Atlanta massage parlors on Tuesday, six of whom were Asian women.
- Many prominent members of the Asian American community have spoken out against the attack and the larger problem of anti-Asian hate crimes.
- During a rally in Pittsburgh, actress Sandra Oh spoke out as a member of the Asian community.
“I want to hear you say, ‘I am proud to be Asian! I belong here!” actress Sandra Oh told the crowd at a protest in Pittsburgh, leading the chant in defiance of the anti-Asian violence that has increasingly threatened the community over the last year.
The star of “Killing Eve” and “Grey’s Anatomy” was one of about 300 people at a rally to “Stop Asian Hate” on Saturday afternoon, reported The Pitt News, the University of Pittsburgh’s student newspaper.
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“For many of us in the community this is the first time we are even able to voice our fear and our anger, and I’m really so grateful for everyone willing to listen,” said Oh, who has spoken out against recent attacks. “I know many of us in our community are very scared, and I understand that. One way to get through our fear is to reach out to our community.”
The Canadian American isn’t always active on social media, but has used her platform to raise awareness of the surge in anti-Asian hate crimes following the killings of eight people, six of whom were Asian women, in a series of shootings at Atlanta-area massage parlors. A day after the attack, she shared a post by actor Daniel Dae Kim, who has been vocal about the rise in hate crimes, raising awareness of donation drives.
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“I am devastated and profoundly angry. I know many of you are scared, but let us not be afraid,” she said on Instagram, sharing the hashtag “#itsanhonorjusttobeasian.”
Oh, whose parents are from South Korea, and Kim are a few of a growing number of prominent Asian Americans speaking out about the anti-Asian racism in the United States that has grown since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. Just days before the Atlanta shootings, the first Asian female director was awarded a Golden Globe — showing even as some progress is made, racism persists.
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