Network Director

In the latest of a harrowing string of attacks, a Taiwanese church in Laguna Woods, California fell victim to a shooting on May 15th, 2022. Just the day before, Buffalo, New York suffered its own tragedy as a man shot and killed ten Black Americans at a grocery store, in what is currently being investigated as a hate crime. A few days prior to that, a shooting in the Koreatown of Dallas, Texas left three women wounded and is also being investigated as a hate crime.

We lament the fact that these horrifying events are but the latest of a recent string of violent acts, both against Asian Americans and otherwise. It is with heavy hearts that we find ourselves restating our opposition to gun violence so frequently. Yet we also take this opportunity to honor Dr. John Cheng, the 52-year-old AANHPI physician who had charged at the Laguna Woods shooter and, by his sacrifice, ensured that no one else died that day. He has demonstrated immense heroism and selflessness not only in the face of this crisis, but also throughout his faithful service to his community as a sports medicine doctor. We grieve for his wife and two children, just as we grieve for all of the families who lost loved ones over the preceding weeks.

Once more, National APAMSA offers its support to the local chapters and members of New York, California, and Texas during these frightening times, and we encourage you to reach out with any specific ways we can be of service.

On April 7th, 2022, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson was confirmed to the US Supreme Court as the first Black woman, the second woman of color, and the third Black Justice in its 232-year history. APAMSA celebrates this monumental moment as the next step in building an increasingly inclusive society with greater representation of people of color in positions of power. 

Supreme Court Justice Jackson is one of many stepping stones for all minority communities. This is especially true when the issues important to communities of color, including that of AANHPI communities, are being decided. In particular, we renew our call for increased representation in the positions of prominence within medicine and academia. The diversity of our doctors must continue to grow for the sake of our minority communities, and our leadership is even more wanting for proper representation. We find hope in the current progress and are eager to see the path continue toward a more inclusive, just, and equitable society.

On the morning of April 12th, 2022, a man opened fire on the passengers of a subway train in Brooklyn, New York and ultimately injured 17 people before fleeing the scene. We at APAMSA grieve for the victims and acknowledge the fear that now strikes many New Yorkers’ hearts. We continue to denounce gun violence and reaffirm our support for comprehensive gun reform that would promote the health and safety of our communities. National APAMSA offers its support to all local chapters and its members during these frightening times, and we encourage you to reach out with any specific ways we can be of service.