Building Belonging

September 11, 2001 was a defining moment for all of us.  First, there was the horrifying act of terrorism in NYC, Washington DC and PA.  Then, in the aftermath it was the targeting of Sikh, Muslims, and other South Asian Americans communities with hate, which still continues. 

Twenty years later, we are now scapegoating other AAPI communities because of a pandemic.   We have much work to do as a country to achieve a permanent and irrevocable sense of belonging for the 23 million Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders living in the U.S.  It will require all of us, in allyship amongst AAPI communities and with other communities to create this change.  

We must change the paradigm.  It is why earlier this week, the White House Office of Public Engagement and The Asian American Foundation hosted a meeting with AAPI faith leaders on hate prevention and racial equity in the lead up to the 20th anniversary of 9/11. Faith leaders shared lessons they’ve learned in the 20 years since 9/11 about how to prevent hate and bigotry in their respective communities, and what they have found to be effective when it comes to helping their communities heal from acts of hate and violence. 

At TAAF, we are mobilizing to deploy much-needed resources to the AAPI communities and leaders to get at the root of anti-AAPI sentiment and build belonging. TAAF proudly supported the Interfaith Youth Core (IFYC) on its interfaith toolkit, which provides important resources to promote belonging in our communities. IFYC hosted a powerful 9/11 Town Hall in conversation with civic leaders, sharing personal experiences and stories from their unique perspectives, each affected by that day and its aftermath as hate crimes against religious minorities in the US rose. I urge you all to read the recap of the Town Hall and more importantly watch these incredible leaders. 

We can learn from 9/11 and move forward, not with hate, but by building a nation together where all members of AAPI and other communities are treated with dignity and respect. This can be the legacy of September 11th: Healing that comes from work to ensure that we all belong.

Sincerely,

Sonal Shah

President, The Asian American Foundation