Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By admin on March 3, 2021

To the Editor:

Re What This Wave of Anti-Asian Violence Reveals about America, by Anne Anlin Cheng (Op-Ed, nytimes.com, Feb. 21):

The recent spate of horrific, pandemic-related violence against Asian-Americans is part of a troubling pattern of rising hate crimes across America. At both the state and federal level, we are doing a poor job at tracking these crimes, making victims and witnesses feel comfortable reporting them, and speaking out forcefully against them.

Data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation reveals that 2019 was the deadliest year on record for hate crimes, with 51 murders, a more than 100 percent increase over 2018.

Moreover, hate crime laws are unevenly applied and enforced across the country. A handful of states still have no hate crime legislation on the books. And many more states need to do a better job of training the police to recognize hate crimes and to make victims feel comfortable reporting them.

The first step in addressing hate violence is to know its full scope and magnitude. Beyond reporting from nonprofit watchdog groups, our state legislatures and law enforcement agencies need to ensure that these crimes are being fully reported and taken seriously.

Jonathan A. GreenblattNew YorkThe writer is chief executive and national director of the Anti-Defamation League.

To the Editor:

Re Fear and Rage Grip Asian-Americans in New York Amid a Wave of Attacks (news article, Feb. 27):

My heart breaks over the horrific wave of violence against our Asian-American neighbors and citizens across the country Americans whose only offense appears to be walking while Asian.

While former President Donald Trump did not invent anti-Asian racism, his ugly and false invective about a China virus undoubtedly reignited prejudice and hatred that were all too ready to spring back to life, seeking legitimacy.

I pray that communities and authorities will take a stand to protect their citizens against these monstrous hate crimes.

Elizabeth P. RaymondBryn Mawr, Pa.

See the rest here:
Opinion | A Rise in Hate Crimes Against Asian-Americans and Others - The New York Times

Category: Anti-Defamation League
Tags: