COLUMBUS, Ind. — Members of over a dozen organizations and churches stood unified Friday in support of Asian Americans in Bartholomew County.
With many holding candles to honor those killed or victimized with harassment, about 230 people attended the rally in front of Columbus City Hall. Most came to assure those of Asian descent that they are seen, heard and supported in this community, Pastor Felipe Martinez of the local First Presbyterian Church said.
Asian Americans are among the fastest-growing demographic in the Columbus area, representing about 8.5 percent of the total population
Similar events have or will be held across the country in the wake of the murder of six people with Asian ancestry in Atlanta last week. While investigators have not identified race as a motivating factor, the minister of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Columbus, Nic Cable, told the crowd that the shootings show “we must target white supremacy culture and toxic masculinity within ourselves as white people, within our institutions, and with society as large.”
Columbus City Council president Elaine Hilber, who is of Chinese descent, said she cannot believe it’s been a year of increased hate crimes and the falsely blaming of Asian-Americans for COVID-19. She admits she fears for the safety of family members both in the U.S. and abroad.
But Hilber says she advocates helping Asian-Americans set aside social media and make more allies through face-to-face conversations. The council president warned that calling out someone for racism may do nothing more than prompt them to shut down all communication.
“Biases are not always based on intent, and, in fact, most people who say or do racist things aren’t meaning to be racist.”Hilber said. “We need to build those relationships back up and support those who don’t feel heard, so we can all begin to understand each other again.”
For more on this story, see Saturday’s Republic.
