NEA President Becky Pringle statement on mass shootings in Atlanta

Washington—NEA President Becky Pringle issued the following statement in response to the increasing violence against the AAPI community. The most recent violent attack involved the murder of eight people, including six Asian women, by a white man in Atlanta.

“Whatever the color of our skin, the language we speak or where we were born, we all want to safely move through our communities without fearing for our lives or loved ones. The violence against our AAPI communities, especially AAPI women, is rooted in long-standing anti-Asian discrimination in this country. This trend of targeted hate against our friends, families, and communities has turned even more frequent and deadlier over the past year. Our communities are shattered and afraid.

“All of us are safer when we collectively address hate and bias, and recognize how when we work across racial differences we are stronger.  However, certain politicians aim to distract and divide us with hateful rhetoric, then look the other way while white supremacists grow their ranks to the point where violence by white men against AAPI, Black and brown people is normalized. The victims of this most recent murderous attack have had their lives and dreams stolen and the grief extends across the nation.

“Together, through our grief, pain and anger, AAPI, Black, brown and Indigenous people have been organizing and fighting back against racial terror and violence towards and in our communities. 

Most immediately, NEA is demanding that:

• AAPI communities be represented and heard at the local, state and federal levels as immediate needs for safety and care are being discussed and determined.
• Policymakers address the impact that the easy access to gun purchases has on our safety.

“And, we as educators respond when we see or experience hate incidents, provide education from the earliest grades on the histories of our diverse communities to ensure Asian Americans, and all Americans, are seen as equally integral to American history and American society. The NEA stands with and for all of the families coping with their loss, and joins them in demanding justice.” 

Links to resources: 

NEA letter to the Biden Administration on rising hate crimes against the Asian American community

Resources for educators:

• After Atlanta: Teaching About Asian American Identity and History 
• Responding to Anti-Asian Violence and Georgia Shootings 
• National Organizations and State Agencies for reporting and resources
• Donate to the victims’ families

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The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing more than 3 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers. Learn more at www.nea.org.