By The Rev. Monica Whitaker, Rector, St. Andrew’s (Sedona) & Co-Chair, Diocesan Anti-Racism Committee
Most of you know that I am of mixed race; a descendant of immigrants. My mother grew up in Hawaii and is a third-generation Chinese American. My father was white and a Mayflower descendant. In white cultures I “pass” as white, but in Asian cultures it is obvious that I am “hapa haole,” or half white.
Before moving to Sedona, I lived in the San Francisco Bay Area and developed relationships with Episcopal Asian Americans whose ancestors immigrated from many different parts of Asia. During seminary, I served at Our Savior, the first Chinese Episcopal church in Oakland, and on the diocesan Asian/Pacific Islander Commission. The first Asian American woman to be ordained an Episcopal priest, The Rev. Dr. Fran Toy, became a mentor who supported my journey through the ordination process. Other Asian mentors were of Filipino, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean descent. Some of them are shown in the photograph below taken at my farewell dinner the week before I moved to Sedona. I have been thinking a lot about my Asian American friends lately, and am deeply concerned for their physical safety and emotional wellbeing.
Last month an 84-year old Thai man died after being attacked during a morning walk in his own San Francisco neighborhood. A few days later, a 91-year old Asian man was slammed down to the sidewalk while walking through Oakland’s Chinatown. This senseless attack occurred in broad daylight just two blocks from the Episcopal church where I have worshipped and in the vicinity of restaurants where I have gathered with Asian friends. I know this neighborhood. A week later, as the Lunar New Year approached, reports of violence, robbery, and racial slurs increased in many Asian communities across the country.
These incidents are only a few of the more than 3,000 racially motivated attacks against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (APPI) in the United States that have been reported to Stop Hate APPI during the COVID-19 pandemic. Acts of violence, verbal harassment, coughing/spitting, discrimination, shunning, and child bullying against Asians have risen exponentially over the past year, and continue to spread fear in communities across our nation. Earlier this week, eight people were murdered in the Atlanta area. Most of the victims were women of Asian descent. For many people of color there is no doubt that this act of violence was a racially motivated misogynistic hate crime. This tragedy reflects the systemic and structural racism that has infected American souls for generations. Racism is a sin that must be dismantled and eradicated.
Over several decades, The Episcopal Church has passed resolutions at General Convention to dismantle systems of oppression and work toward racial healing and reconciliation. But it is up to predominantly white dioceses and parishes like ours to explore the intersection of race and faith. It is up to us to engage in collaborative spiritual and practical work to address racial injustice and oppression. It is up to us to develop positive relationships with Asians and other people of color, and shape our communities toward becoming God’s Beloved Community.
I encourage you to pray and reflect on the role we each play and the actions we can take to create positive change. Watch this TedTalk on Asian Stereotypes and Asian racial bias and be mindful of what you say and hear. Much of what the speaker shares reflects my experiences of racism, even in the Episcopal church, even in Sedona.
Thanks to those of you who have already reached out with kind words of support. I invite your prayers for all Asian Americans who are living in fear, including my 86-year old mother who is now wondering if it is safe to even go to a doctor appointment.