Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Colleagues,

Please join us in celebrating Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. Each May since 1990, the US recognizes the significant contributions the AAPI community has made to American history.

From art and literature to medicine and science to government and law, and more, AAPI people continue to have a tremendous impact in shaping this country’s identity, including the recent election of our nation’s first Asian-American Vice President. Our country is richer due to the unique life experiences and cultures of AAPI immigrants and citizens.

As we pay tribute this month, we must also acknowledge that the AAPI community is still combating the stereotype of the “perpetual foreigner,” despite the millions of Asian Americans today who can trace their ancestry within the United States by several generations. Even worse, we have witnessed a rising tide in anti-Asian sentiment, including a spike in violence and hate crimes during the pandemic across the country.

Stand Together Against Asian Hate

We are proud to be at firm that speaks out against such violence. This year, in honor of AAPI Heritage month, Seyfarth’s AAPI Affinity group is asking that you continue to stand with us against Asian hate. We are launching a Stand Together Against Asian Hate fundraising campaign in support of Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC), an organization fighting for the civil rights of Asian Americans and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders. Seyfarth has been a frequent partner with AAJC.

If you will stand with us and contribute to this cause, Seyfarth’s Charitable Foundation Board will match donations up to $3,500.

Why Stand With Us?

• Anti-Asian sentiment spiked during the pandemic, rooted in xenophobia and the perception that China is responsible for the COVID-19 virus. Asian hate crimes since 2020 (those reported) increased 150%, with women and the elderly the most frequent victims, and almost half occurring in open public. That number does not account for verbal harassment, which continues to make up the biggest share of total incidents reported.
• On January 26, 2021, the White House issued a memorandum condemning and combating racism, xenophobia, and intolerance against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the US.
• Despite increased awareness of the issues, violent hate crimes against Asians have continued. Since the White House memorandum, over 6,000 additional hate incidents have been reported, including on March 16, 2021, when eight women, mostly of Asian descent, were shot and killed in Atlanta.
• Solidarity with the AAPI community, investment in civil rights enforcement, and providing resources to underserved populations, benefits all groups and communities in combating injustice.

For a Deeper Understanding

• Watch the PBS series Asian Americans for a bold, fresh perspective on a history that matters today, more than ever. The story, told through intimate personal stories, casts a new lens on US history and the ongoing role that Asian Americans have played.
• Listen to the podcast Self-Evident for reported narratives, personal stories, and community conversations that present a complex, empathetic portrait of Asian American life. Since 2019, the podcast has been unafraid to tackle thorny questions of identity and carefully unpack the specific challenges faced by AAPI communities.

Thank you,

James Yu and Stacy Paek