Wauwatosa Approves Resolution In Support Of AAPI Community

WAUWATOSA, WI—A resolution, in support of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, was passed unanimously during the Wauwatosa Common Council meeting on Tuesday.

The resolution states the city is dedicated to "honoring its diversity, including our residents of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, a group that has contributed and continues to contribute to our country’s progress, culture, and success."

The resolution acknowledges the documented trend of increased discrimination, hate and violence against the AAPI community exacerbated by false narratives and xenophobia around the coronavirus, the statement said..

"These reprehensible displays of hate have often gone unnoticed and unreported, perpetuating a “model minority” myth that Asians will be complacent and stay silent, even when targeted and harmed; and WHEREAS, hate, violence, and bias are not accepted in our community, especially when targeting or scapegoating individuals based on their race or identity."

The resolution states in the coming months, the City of Wauwatosa will enhance its efforts and opportunities to engage to combat this virulent type of racism, intolerance, and xenophobia, and to protect all members of our community from crimes.

The resolution said especially those based on the race or identity of our residents and visitors; and WHEREAS, the recent crimes in Atlanta and some other places against Asians were based as much on the gender of the victims as on their AAPI identity.

Wauwatosa Mayor Dennis McBride released a statement on March 19 after the mass shooting in Atlanta, Georgia. Eight people were killed In 3 massage parlor shootings. All four women at the Atlanta spas and two women killed in Acworth were of Asian descent.

"Today I join the mayors of other communities in condemning the horrible violence against Asian-Americans that has occurred in recent weeks, months, and years across America. As a nation, we can no longer remain silent and fail to address the racism that keeps us all from reaching our potential.

We all must condemn the violence against Asian-Americans. None of it makes sense except through the twisted prism of racism. We must have zero tolerance for hate against our fellow human beings.

Wherever we live, let us all state this clearly: hate has no home here. We recognize that our community’s diversity is its strength. We acknowledge the suffering of our Asian-American neighbors and join them in calling for nationwide reform. There is much work to be done, locally and nationally, to ensure that all people of color feel safe, supported, and heard.

Like all communities, Wauwatosa has a sorrowful legacy of racism, matching the American legacy of oppression that stretches back 400 years. Nevertheless, Wauwatosa has become a magnet for Asian-American residents and businesses, and we welcome Asian-Americans and all people of color to our community.

In the past year in particular, Wauwatosa has taken great strides in promoting equity and inclusion in a variety of ways. As I have in the past, I ask our residents of color to contact me to discuss joining City boards, committees, and commissions to ensure that future local decisions will be made fairly, justly, and with you, not merely on your behalf.

We all know that political polarization interferes with our ability to help each other heal from the recent tragedies and to protect all our residents. But we can make change happen in a way that benefits everyone. We all must put our shoulders to the task."

Other municipalities have issued similar resolutions, including the Dane County Board and Eau Claire City Council.

The West Allis Common Council voted Wednesday 9-0 to approve a resolution authored by Alderman Angelito Tenorio condemning anti-Asian American and Pacific Islander hate crimes. Tenorio is Asian American.

Alderman Tracy Stefanski amended it to include all hate crimes during a meeting of the Licensing and Health Committee on Wednesday.

"By naming what is happening to the Asian American community, that isn't being divisive. It is spotlighting what is happening right now," Tenorio said.