Racism, hate, violence. There seems to be no end.

Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Yesterday I attended a Zoom meeting:

These panelists discussed the conditions of their respective Chinatowns. They shared ideas about how to revive them. They exchanged stories of very recent incidents–stabbings–of Asian hate. Please frequent your AAPI businesses. Let them know you support them. Understand that their sacrifices and hard work are integral to the fabric of our country. Please.

COVID Crisis in India

In last night’s sleepless doom scrolling, I came across this Twitter thread:

Social distancing is a privilege.
It means you live in a house large enough to practise it.

Hand washing is a privilege too. It means you have access to running water.

Hand sanitisers are a privilege. It means you have money to buy them.

— DR JAGADISH J HIREMATH (@Kaalateetham) March 23, 2020

All those who are practising social distancing & imposed a lockdown on themselves must appreciate how privileged we are.

More importantly those who can do it yet still move around infecting others especially the poor are criminals.

Poor cannot afford it please be considerate

— DR JAGADISH J HIREMATH (@Kaalateetham) March 23, 2020

What struck me was that this thread came out over a year ago. But it felt like it could have come out last week. We take so much for granted.

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

May 5 also happens to be the National Day of Awareness for Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls. This was something that I’ve been aware of but haven’t been keeping foremost in my mind. And it should share space with all the other serious matters in our world. Absolutely heartrending.

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Back 2012 I read The Round House, by Louise Erdrich. A harrowing tale, addressing issues of violence and hate within and projected onto indigenous communities. If you haven’t read her work, doing so would be a good start.