Since the start of the pandemic, there have been stories and reports about increasing instances of violence, xenophobia, and bigotry targeting our Deaf and Hard of Hearing Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community in various cities across our country. The NAD Board and staff recognize hate against AAPI have been around for too long and continues to be unacceptably embedded in our communities. This atrocious hate has been much more apparent since the beginning of this pandemic, as more cases have been reported nationwide. The NAD does not tolerate hate against AAPI in any way, shape, or form, whether it be signed or spoken, verbal or physical. The bystander effect is just as harmful as being the one inflicting harm and is not acceptable anywhere in any community, including within the deaf and hard of hearing community. We are living through a tumultuous time in our society. Let’s ask ourselves what we can do to bring about effective change and support our Deaf and Hard of Hearing AAPI community and other communities that are underrepresented and facing oppression. To learn more about what you can do to help stop Asian hate, you can reach out to a local Deaf Asian organization including Asian Signers, National Asian Deaf Congress, and any of its affiliates. The NAD promotes, preserves, and protects civil, human, and linguistic rights for all deaf people, including our AAPI community members. #StopAsianHate #StopAAPIHate
