A wave of violence and hatred against the Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) community has ripped through California, New York, Georgia and across our country. Cottonwood Institute (CI) acknowledges the pain and suffering that AAPI community members have endured and continue to endure. We are in solidarity with them.

Words and ideology matter; we must hold politicians, businesses, schools, coworkers, family, and friends accountable when they make ignorant and racist comments about AAPI people that fuel acts of hatred and violence.

CI has pledged to speak up and speak out against racism and hate in all its forms. We call on all our communities to take action with our AAPI friends and families to end these despicable acts.

Here are a few things you can do right now:

• Educate yourself about what is happening to the AAPI community across the country.
• Pause and acknowledge the pain and suffering that AAPI people are experiencing right now.
• Reach out to your AAPI friends, students, families, and coworkers to check in on them. Let them know you care about their safety and well being.
• Speak up and speak out when you hear ignorant, racist, or degrading comments about AAPI people. Learning For Justice has great resources and pocket guides to help.

Our hearts go out to the AAPI community.

Respectfully,

Ford Church, Founder and Executive Director
Cottonwood Institute