We are saddened and outraged to hear of the shootings in Atlanta and the deaths of eight people including six Asian women. This nation has deep-seated problems which we cannot ignore even as we embrace change in our government.

Over the last year, we have seen an explosion of anti-Asian bigotry – egged on and exacerbated by our former President and other leaders. Meanwhile, the undercurrent of misogyny in our culture has continued unabated. These sickening and dangerous messages put our young people at risk – at deadly risk.

The youth we work with are forced to live in a culture of hate which continues churning poisonous rhetoric and making our world unsafe. Their efforts to create change are thwarted by politicians and pundits who treat human beings as expendable and encourage hatred and violence to secure votes and views.

Young people are working for a time when everyone can live free from bigotry, misogyny, violence, and fear. We must work alongside them or continue to face these losses again and again.