CINCINNATI — In the shadow of the city’s largest symbol of racial justice, hundreds of men, women and children of all races stood in solidarity with Atlanta and the families of the eight people, including six Asian women, killed on March 16.
The Greater Cincinnati Chinese Cultural Exchange Association and Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs organized a rally outside of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center called “Stop Asian Hate,” to mourn the lives lost on March 16 and call for change.
While federal investigators have said they found no evidence the shooter, who targeted two Asian-owned spas, committed a hate crime, those attending Cincinnati’s rally believe the attack was racially motivated.
Many Asian Americans said they’ve felt afraid and unwelcome with attacks on their community on the rise in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
Tuesday’s attacks heightened those fears.
“My grandparents came to this nation for a better life,” said Don Hayashi, the president of Dayton’s Japanese American Citizen’s League Chapter. “They faced lots of discrimination, could not own land, were not allowed to be naturalized as American citizens until 1952, and the stigma of Asian ancestry was very present in my growing up.”
Hayashi said there have always been people in his life that have tried to make him feel unwelcome, or like an outsider, both in his hometown of Portland, Oregon and in his new home in Dayton.
“Even though on the surface it appears that we’re equal, we know that there are still prejudices that are there and we are here today to witness that we are here to stay,” he said.
In his case, the hate usually comes in the form of racial slurs or ignorant comments, but he knows many who have experienced far worse. Earlier this year, Hayashi said vandals targeted an Asian-owned restaurant and grocery store in Dayton. The restaurant-owner told Hayashi he doesn’t want to reopen because he fears for his family’s safety.
Hayashi said these stories happen everywhere and it’s heartbreaking.
“When I see these victims in Atlanta, they are immigrants who worked very hard for their children and their grandchildren to have a brighter future,” he said.
Kazuya Sato, the president of Cincinnati’s JACL chapter, spoke at the rally reminding the audience it wasn’t too long ago, Japanese people were rounded up in internment camps and those of other Asian nationalities were targeted because people thought they were Japanese.
After World War II, the United States vowed “never again,” but Sato said it needs to take that commitment seriously.
“We have been saying never again is now, and this is happening now, so we are doing this now,” Sato said.
Women spoke about the harassment they experience due to the stereotype that Asian women are sexually submissive and available. They believe that stereotype was one of the reasons the shooter targeted those Georgia spas.
Quina Duo came from Mason with her family to watch many of her friends speak. She said she believes Ohio can stop the hate through love and acceptance.
“We also just have a home here,” Duo said. “This is a free land that inspires everybody.”