Dear CCDA Family,
Our hearts and bodies, souls and spirits are still aching following the deadly, abhorrent and racially motivated attacks last week in Georgia. We cry out even now; we mourn and grieve for the families and communities affected by this evil terrorism. Each precious life was singular, beloved; and we affirm what the Apostle Paul declared, in 1 Cor. 12:26, “If one part [of the Body] suffers, every part suffers with it.”
We acknowledge that the anti-Asian racism and violence that framed this recent incident is not isolated or exceptional. Rather, such is the continuation of a sustained legacy of racism, dehumanization, violence, and deeply entrenched misogyny toward the Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander communities (API/AAPI).
CCDA stands in solidarity with our API/AAPI siblings. Moreover, we send intentional and actionable love to these communities. We confess our own complicity in far too often engaging binary dialogues which have failed to center and lift up API/AAPI voices and experiences. We pledge, not only a right-setting of this reality, but an unwavering commitment to support all efforts aimed at dismantling the toxic and dehumanizing combination of anti-Asian bias, vilification, and victimization. Fannie Lou Hamer once declared, “Nobody’s free until everybody’s free.” We stand in collective action together – for safety, for sanctuary – for freedom.
-Rev. Cecilia Williams, President & CEO
A few resources:
Christina Foor processes her own journey as an Asian American practitioner in this season on our blog. She writes, “I have long been accustomed to working on behalf of other minority communities, so these situations have instilled a sort of reckoning inside me. This anti- Asian violence, sentiment, and racism has always been present but was rarely spotlighted. I confess my participation in that content gap. Now, I’m asking questions…” Read blog here.
We shared this a month ago, but it bears repeating again. Our Asian Pacific Islander (API) & Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities are hurting right now. She writes, “I’m often asked ‘what can I do to help?’ For non-Asians, before taking action, I suggest reflecting and learning first. For API folks, learning our histories and finding communities of support is helpful.” Take some time to read her words and consider your next step. Read blog here.
This season has undoubtedly stirred up a lot of emotions, pain, trauma, and uncertainty. How do we process this season as practitioners? We will spend time listening to our Asian & Asian American Pacific Islander (API/AAPI) community in CCDA and engaging in the nuances of our work. We would love to feature your CCD work, strengths, and challenges in this season. If you identify as API or AAPI, would you fill out this form so we can share your story?
.API/AAPI friends, we also have an affinity network within CCDA for you to find support and community. As Asians in CCD work, we are truly a unique niche, and finding others to identify with is so healing. We also greatly appreciate the work of Asian American Christian Collaborative (we just signed on to their statement here) and Stop AAPI Hate, Both are great resources for AAPIs. Join the AAPIs in CCDA group here.
Find more API/AAPI related content here: https://ccda.org/product-tag/aapi/
