Speak Out Against Hate

The shooting in Atlanta, Georgia this past week is tragically, yet another act of anti-Asian violence in the United States. 

To our Asian and Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) members: We stand with you and we mourn with you. The Illinois Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ISHA) strongly and unequivocally condemns anti-Asian discrimination and violence. We speak as an organization deeply committed to the belief that all people are empowered with the fundamental human right to engage and connect. As such, we cannot remain idle as the communities we serve are plagued with social injustice, racism, xenophobia, and hate.

In the face of such tragedy, thoughts and prayers are not enough. We encourage our members to get involved with ISHA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Task Force. As a community of professionals, we all have a role to play in addressing anti-Asian discrimination and violence in the United States, both historically and specifically with the exponential increase in anti-Asian hate crimes during the COVID-19 pandemic, due to the xenophobic language around the virus this past year.

Words matter and words of hate and prejudice can, unfortunately, translate into violent action. Language that is used to weaponize, target, and perpetrate harm against individuals of a particular race, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation is unacceptable—always.

Email membership@ishail.org to learn more and get involved.