(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

By Rachel Walsh-Peterson

March 16 marked the one-year anniversary of the shooting spree in Atlanta in which eight people were killed, six of them women of Asian descent. Most importantly when reflecting on this tragedy, we must remember and amplify the names of the deceased: Xiaojie “Emily” Tan, Daoyou Feng, Delaina Yaun, Paul Michels, Suncha Kim, Soon Chung Park, Hyun Jung Grant, and Yong Ae Yue.

We must then consider the factors that led to this shooting – our nation’s history of racism and misogyny, a terrifying recent increase in violence and hatred directed towards the AAPI community, and the ready availability of firearms across the United States. If the shooter was not able to access a firearm, these eight people may have enjoyed a regular day last March 16. Even if not a regular day, even if he had still acted on his racist and sexist impulses, if he had not had a firearm those eight people could still be alive. Their families, loved ones, and communities would not be continuing to suffer due to their loss. People who share the sentiments held by the shooter would not have his actions to hold up as an example.

According to the most recent data, hate incidents targeting Asian Americans rose by nearly 150% in 2020, with Asian American women twice as likely to be targeted as men. Stop AAPI Hate received 3,800 reports of anti-Asian hate from March 2020 to February 2021, with 35% of discriminatory acts happening at businesses. There is an intersectional dynamic in that others may perceive both Asians and women and Asian women as easier targets. By a more than 2:1 margin, racially-motivated attacks against Asian Americans during the pandemic targeted Asian-American women.

This is the heart of gun violence prevention. We all have to think of others, especially those who are oppressed and vulnerable in society, when considering our position on gun safety. How can we help keep others safe? What common sense measures can we support to keep firearms out of the wrong hands? How can we contribute to the creation of a society that is safer for women, for people of color, and for all marginalized communities? What harm could it cause for firearms to be less readily available and more safely regulated?

It is the hope of this writer that all members of the Somerville community will agree with and live by this statement:

We stand with the AAPI community against this violence. We are committed to disarming hate, preventing violence against women, and stopping gun violence in all forms. We do not have to live like this, and we do not have to die like this.