To our community,
We at the Jewish Youth Climate Movement were incredibly saddened by the shootings in Atlanta this past week, as well as the increase in attacks against the Asian American community as a whole, in particular women and elders, since the COVID-19 pandemic began. We wholeheartedly condemn racism against, and stand with, the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, including AAPI Jews, and urge our community members to invest in AAPI freedom through money, time, and honest dialogue with your communities. Utilizing these links below is a good first step:
We understand that anti-Asian American and Pacific Islander attacks did not begin with the pandemic and have a long history in the United States; the compounded injustices at the intersection of race and misogyny are both historical and current. And we are angry.
Racial and climate justice are different facets of the same freedom, one we should all be afforded: the freedom to live free from fear and hate; the freedom to live fully as ourselves; the freedom to have a safe and healthy present and future. Racial justice is climate justice, and we must hold this truth in everything we do at JYCM.
To Asian American and Pacific Islanders in this time of crisis and always: you are seen. You are heard. You are loved. You belong here. And we understand words alone are not enough.
To the families of those grieving: we wish you healing and comfort.
Zikhronam livrakha, may their memories be for a blessing.
In solidarity and love,
The JYCM Leadership Board