WASHINGTON (7News) — From advocates to business owners and program organizers, 7 News has been highlighting businesses, events, and community members this Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.
In early May, Nicole Dowd, the head of public programs at the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art shared her story.
“Growing up there were never really you know Asian American or Korean American specific events that I feel like I could participate in,’ said Dowd.
Now, this Korean adoptee is organizing those events on a national scale.
“I find a lot of comfort and excitement in what the future holds,” said Dowd.
In Virginia, Victor Nguyen-Long cofounded a grassroots organization, Viet Place Collective, to uplift and uphold the Vietnamese community’s legacy in the DMV.
“As we lose our parent's recipes and our traditions and our language, as those things fade, places like Eden Center and the Vietnamese community are sort of the last remnants of our roots and our heritage,” said Nguyen-Long.
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In Maryland, Kristy Lam’s dumpling business, Mulan Dumpling, pivoted during the pandemic and is now thriving in grocery stores across the country.
“For me, the value of America is so inclusive, they welcome everyone in here,” said Lam. “There's no one culture there's actually a collective of culture, making the America unique.”
This community has grown louder and prouder.
“To be unapologetic about being louder is something the last couple of years has empowered a lot of us,” said Dowd.
Because the last couple of years has in many ways been filled with fear. First, there was the pandemic then a rise in hate against Asian Americans.
“On a personal level it’s terrifying to see and observe,” said Special Agent in Charge Wayne Jacobs. He works out of the FBI Washington field office’s criminal and cyber division. “This type of activity has no place in a society that we all want to live, work and enjoy,” said Jacobs. “So it’s sobering for us, and I think motivates each one of us to go out there and aggressively pursue those who believe um that they can get away with this type of activity.”
In 2020, the FBI reported 279 Anti-Asian hate crime incidents. That number almost tripled to 789 by 2021.
“This type of activity will not be tolerated,” said Jacobs. “When it is reported, you can rest assured that it is going to be pursued aggressively to enforce the law.”
The FBI says there are a few reasons for the spike, including a change in data collection. They’re going into communities daily, educating people about what a hate crime is, how to report it, while working on building trust.
“We take that responsibility incredibly seriously,” said Special Agent in Charge Jacobs.
There’s still a lot of work ahead, but for now, as May comes to an end, many are holding on to hope.
“What I hope is that these celebrations during AAPI heritage month can really help people to find community and solace with one another,” said Dowd. “Allow us to come out stronger.”
“I hope that there's a peace and harmony living in one place together,” said Lam.
The FBI Washington Field Office covers D.C. as well as northern Virginia. The latest numbers from 2021 show three anti-Asian hate crime incidents in D.C. and four in Virginia
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May 30, 2023 at 06:55PM
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