Importance of AAPI Month Amid Uptick in Hate Crimes

Importance of AAPI month

• Heritage and awareness months, like AAPI Month, celebrate the customs, values, and traditions of diverse cultures in the U.S. They highlight the challenges different communities face and recognize their valuable contributions to American society.
• These months provide a dedicated platform to amplify voices that are often overlooked, and by doing so, contribute to a society that embraces inclusivity, breaks down barriers, and promotes understanding and empathy.

An uptick in hate crimes

• In early 2021, hate crimes against Asian Americans in major cities increased by 164% compared to the previous year. In San Francisco, anti-Asian hate crimes increased by 567% from 2020 to 2021. The upsurge of anti-Asian sentiments and hate crimes was largely fueled by false scapegoating and misinformation related to COVID-19. 
• In 2023, Chinese Americans still encounter discrimination. A recent study found that nearly three out of four Chinese Americans have experienced racial discrimination in the past 12 months, and 55% worry about their safety regarding hate crimes or harassment.
• Asian Americans are the fastest-growing racial group in the U.S. However, according to a Social Tracking of Asian Americans in the U.S. (STAATUS) Index survey, Asian Americans, particularly young women, are the least likely to feel a sense of complete belonging and acceptance in the U.S.

Legislation and political action

• COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act: In 2021, President Biden signed legislation to make reporting hate crimes against Asian Americans more accessible at the local and state levels by increasing public outreach and providing online reporting resources in multiple languages. Additionally, it gave grants for state and local governments to implement programs that prevent and address hate crimes.
• Hate Crime Statistics Act: This 1990 act mandates the attorney general to publish an annual report on crimes that exhibit evidence of prejudice based on race, religion, sexual orientation, or ethnicity.
• Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act: This federal law was passed in 2009 and expanded the existing hate-crime law to include crimes motivated by gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. It also gave the federal government more power to prosecute hate crimes that local authorities ignored.

You can help break through the barriers the AAPI community faces with one simple step: a vote. Your vote is your voice, and it's important to have that voice heard during this year's statewide elections.

 Register to vote:

Verify your registration:

Get an absentee ballot: 

Under 18? Pledge to register to vote:

Do you care about stopping hate crimes and discrimination against Asian Americans? If so, be sure you're ready to vote in this year's state and local elections.

-Laura Woods & Jamie Epstein

(Photo credit: Unsplash)