Atlanta Shootings Fuel Fear Of Racism And Violence Against Asian Communities

Massage Parlor Shootings
A man walks past the front of the Gold Spa massage parlor in Atlanta on Wednesday afternoon, March 17, 2021, the day after multiple people were killed at three massage spas in the Atlanta area. (AP Photo/Ben Gray) / Associated Press
Massage Parlor Shootings
A man walks past the front of the Gold Spa massage parlor in Atlanta on Wednesday afternoon, March 17, 2021, the day after multiple people were killed at three massage spas in the Atlanta area. (AP Photo/Ben Gray) / Associated Press

Atlanta Shootings Fuel Fear Of Racism And Violence Against Asian Communities

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The Atlanta shootings on Tuesday have sparked fear and anger in Chicago-area Asian communities. Six of the eight victims were of Asian descent — a reminder of the ongoing wave of anti-Asian hate crimes and discrimination across the country. Over the last year, nearly 3,800 incidents of racism and violence against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders across the U.S. have been reported to Stop AAPI Hate.

Reset talks to WBEZ’s Esther Yoon-Ji Kang, a local official and a community leader about the rise in anti-Asian attacks and ways to move forward.

GUESTS: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang, WBEZ race, class and communities reporter

Josina Morita, chair of the Illinois Asian American Caucus; commissioner with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District

Andy Kang, executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Chicago