Hollywood has come out in support of the Asian community in America after deadly shootings in Atlanta left eight including six Asian women dead on Tuesday.
The tragedy stirred up intense outrage across the US and on Twitter as bias against Asians was cited as a motivating factor for the accused, a 21-year-old white male named Robert Aaron Long.
As numerous hashtags including #StopAsianHate trended on Twitter, a number of celebs voiced out their support and grievance, including Asian stars Lin-Manuel Miranda, Gemma Chan, Margaret Cho, George Takei, Lana Condor, and Shannon Lee, the daughter of Bruce Lee.
Calling out former US President Donald Trump’s record of hateful anti-Asian rhetoric, and his use of the term ‘kung flu’ for COVID, Lee said, “This is where “kung flu” leads.”
This is where “kung flu” leads. You think it’s a joke and that we shouldn’t be so serious about it. But then there are those who latch onto it with hatred and xenophobia and use it to fuel their fear and contempt until it explodes into heinous acts. This is what happens when 1/ pic.twitter.com/ZqLxH4tNI0
— Bruce Lee (@brucelee) March 17, 2021
“You think it’s a joke and that we shouldn’t be so serious about it. But then there are those who latch onto it with hatred and xenophobia and use it to fuel their fear and contempt until it explodes into heinous acts.”
Renowned comedian Cho simply tweeted, “I’m angry. This is terrorism. This is a hate crime. Stop killing us. #StopAsianHate.”
I’m angry. This is terrorism. This is a hate crime. Stop killing us. #StopAsianHate pic.twitter.com/rZghXp4nOQ
— Margaret Cho (@margaretcho) March 17, 2021
She also attached a video in which she said, “It is a hate crime. When you kill [six] Asian women, it’s a hate crime. I don’t know why that’s even a question.”
Star Trek actor Takei also turned to Twitter to call out the racist shooting. “Whether the killer went in with the intent to kill Asian women or he just happened to go to three different Asian establishments, miles apart, with intent to kill those inside doesn’t change the racial nature of these murders.”
Whether the killer went in with intent to kill Asian women or he just happened to go to three different Asian establishments, miles apart, with intent to kill those inside doesn’t change the racial nature of these murders.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) March 17, 2021
Condor, star of the film To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, also rallied for support for Asians. “Your Asian friends and family are deeply scared, horrified, sick to their stomachs, and wildly angry. Please please please stand with us,” she tweeted.
Wake up… your Asian friends and family are deeply scared, horrified, sick to their stomachs and wildly angry. Please please please check in on us, please please please stand with us. Please. Your Asian friend needs you, even if they aren’t publicly grieving on social media. x
— Lana Condor (@lanacondor) March 17, 2021
Crazy Rich Asians star Chan took to Instagram to address the tragedy, writing, “Please pay attention to what is happening… This is the latest in a surge of horrific attacks on the Asian community.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CMhu__JlwTQ/
“We need to stop the dehumanization of Asians. We need to stop the scapegoating of Asians for Covid. We need to unite against all forms of hate,” she added. “Check in on your Asian friends because we are not ok. Educate yourself and others on the model minority myth and the long history of anti-Asian racism.”
“We must stop violence & hate against our Asian brothers and sisters,” tweeted Broadway star Miranda, urging people to “take virtual bystander intervention training and learn ways to intervene effectively without compromising safety.”
We must stop violence & hate against our Asian brothers and sisters. You can take these virtual bystander intervention trainings & learn ways to intervene effectively without compromising safety. New sessions added Mar 29 + Apr 20. Click below to register. https://t.co/C8gAhUjRuw
— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) March 17, 2021
Shonda Rhimes, the showrunner behind Grey’s Anatomy, said, “Last night was an act of pure racist hatred. This is very personal to me as a mom of a child who is both Black & Asian. But it shouldn’t have to be personal to know it’s wrong. Speak up.”
Last night was an act of pure racist hatred. This is very personal to me as a mom of a child who is both Black & Asian. But it shouldn’t have to be personal to know its wrong. Speak up. Hashtags are nice but actions save lives. Standing w/ the AAPI community. #StopAsianHate pic.twitter.com/Rtx1b2AZW9
— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) March 17, 2021
Musician John Legend expressed dismay at the tragedy as well, saying, “Absolutely horrible. Sending love to all the loved ones of those whose lives were taken. Our nation needs to reckon with the increased threats being directed at our Asian-American brothers and sisters.”
Absolutely horrible. Sending love to all the loved ones of those whose lives were taken. Our nation needs to reckon with the increased threats being directed at our Asian-American brothers and sisters. https://t.co/52DCKPeDOt
— John Legend (@johnlegend) March 17, 2021
Scroll down to see how numerous other celebrities raised their voices against the attacks and called to #StopAsianHate.
Even as we’ve battled the pandemic, we’ve continued to neglect the longer-lasting epidemic of gun violence in America. Although the shooter’s motive is not yet clear, the identity of the victims underscores an alarming rise in anti-Asian violence that must end.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) March 17, 2021
We need to take decisive aim at our gun laws & enact sensible reforms to ensure that those with hate-filled hearts are no longer armed to destroy lives. It’s time we put safety on the agenda in America. #StopAsianHate #StopAAPIHate https://t.co/T28bvAKpL6
— Misha Collins (@mishacollins) March 17, 2021
AAPI FAM :: please take care of yourself today :: it’s okay to share your grief and pain to ones you love :: heartbroken ::
— Harry Shum Jr (@HarryShumJr) March 17, 2021
https://twitter.com/mindykaling/status/1372044703831449600
Stop AAPI hate. Please watch my conversation with the incredible Moonlynn Tsai & Yin Chang, then go to https://t.co/X3y29zuGtg to find out how you can help. #StopAsianHate pic.twitter.com/KQOeFUAg6Y
— Ellen DeGeneres (@EllenDeGeneres) March 17, 2021
The hashtag #StopAsianHate is rightly trending. How do we do that beyond just tweeting? Some ideas. Examine stereotypes you hold about Asian people. Work to dismantle that within yourself. Raise your voice anywhere that anti-Asian sentiment is present. Normalize calling it out. https://t.co/KENMNCsEvy
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) March 17, 2021
