Note: I've known Tim Wong longer than I care to admit - from the time he was a Camp Counselor in Training at what was then Eagle's Nest Camp. He became my Missioner for Youth and Young Families when I was rector and was loved and respected and admired by the kids and their parents. I got this letter from Tim this morning. He has given me permission to publish it on my social media platforms. Please take a moment to read it. Tim speaks for himself, his wife, Amy and all AAPI people, including two of our granddaughters, Willow and Ivy and their dad Bob.
Dear Bishop Hughes,
This is Timothy Wong, parishioner from St. Andrew's in Harrington Park, member of the Arrangements Committee for Diocesan Convention, and Director of the International Seafarers' Center in Port Newark for The Seamen's Church Institute. It is with a heavy heart that I write to you regarding the tragic events that took place on Tuesday involving the shooting in Atlanta, GA that claimed the lives of 8 people, 6 of whom were women of Asian descent.
In recent weeks, there has been a spike in hate crimes against Asian Americans. According to a new report released by Stop AAPI Hate, Asian Americans were victims of 3,800 hate crimes in the past year. The report was released on the same day as the horrific shootings in Atlanta, GA. I won't repeat many of the things that have already been reported by the media, but I am writing to you to ask for your help to bring much needed attention to this matter.
Discrimination and hate against Asian Americans is nothing new, and I've experienced it first hand in my lifetime. But we've all seen recently how powerful words are when they are said with malicious intent. Words like "Kung Flu" and "China Virus" are not only wrong, offensive, and racist, but also the rhetoric that put a target on every Asian American's back during this pandemic. The recent verbal and physical attacks and shootings of Asian Americans have personally built up a lot of mixed emotions for me. Feelings of fear and anger, disbelief and sadness, but most importantly, concern for the safety of my wife, my parents, family and friends every time they step outside of their homes.
In a perfect world, racism and hatred would not exist and these senseless and cowardly acts of violence wouldn't either. But in the reality we live in, we have law enforcement who publicly defended the actions of the shooter because the shooter had a "bad day" and that the motive for the mass shootings was due to his addition with sex and his need to remove the temptation by killing these Asian American women. While I understand local police and FBI continue their investigation, it is truly frustrating and unbelievable that the shooter has not been charged with what is clearly a hate crime.
After meeting with local Asian community leaders in Atlanta, President Biden and Vice President Harris denounced these attacks on Asian Americans and calling for Americans to speak out against the rise in hate crimes. There have been many protests and demonstrations that have taken place this week, locally and nationally, and I am doing my part by asking for your help to condemn these anti-Asian hate crimes. As our Bishop and leader of the Diocese of Newark, please help bring the attention this matter so desperately needs. Asians are traditionally known as people who don't speak up, but we can no longer stay silent as we are being senselessly slandered, beaten, and killed. Help us amplify our voice to those who don't know better, to those who need to be educated, and to those who were motivated and swayed by hatred and racist words. Asians are not the virus and we don't deserve to be treated like we are responsible for this pandemic. We suffered the ripple effects of COVID-19 just like the rest of the world and now we are suffering even more.
Most importantly, while the message from President Biden and Vice President Harris was necessary, and what I hope is a start to what will eventually bring the change we need, I ask for your prayers. Prayers for peace and an end to this violence and killing of Asian Americans. Prayers for an end to racism and hatred. Prayers for an end to this pandemic. And of course prayers to all those Asian Americans who have been or will be victims of these hate crimes.
Finally, as a firm believer in the power of prayer and support, I've cc family and friends, along with my fellow Episcopalian brothers and sisters from the Diocese of Newark and beyond, to remember in their prayers this inconceivable, disturbing, and dangerous reality that Asian Americans are living through.
Thank you Bishop Hughes.
Faithfully,
Timothy Wong
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