As we approach Ohio’s primary election on May 3rd, OPAWL believes our leaders and elected officials can and must uplift popular policies like jobs, protecting workers’ rights, and infrastructure without fearmongering rhetoric that puts marginalized immigrant & refugee communities at risk.
Hate incidents targeting Asians, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders are a serious national issue disproportionately impacting women, girls, and non-binary folks. Of the 10,905 total hate incidents reported to Stop AAPI Hate between March 19, 2020 and December 31, 2021, 61.8% of all reports were from women and girls. Non-binary AAPIs also reported higher rates of deliberate avoidance, being coughed or spat on, and denial of service than AAPI women and men. 128 hate incidents were reported in Ohio, which we know is only a fraction of the total incidents, due to underreporting driven by fear, shame, and lack of awareness in AAPI and immigrant communities. With historic levels of hate incidents against our communities, we cannot accept a pattern of xenophobic political rhetoric that stokes violence against AAPIs or any marginalized groups.
Building grassroots multiracial solidarity and taking care of each other is the ONLY way that our working families, communities, and future generations in Ohio can all survive and thrive. Solidarity and community care is how we dismantle white supremacy and hold corporations and institutions accountable when they put profits over people.
Ohioans deserve progressive leaders who inspire hope, solidarity, and a vision of collective thriving — not scapegoating & race baiting.