An Open Letter: Members of ’s AAPI Community Call Out Racialized Misogyny and Hypersexualization in American Society

We, the undersigned, are calling out a legacy of hypersexualization and fetishization of Asian American and Pacific Islander women. Because it’s time to talk about it.

The white supremacist terrorist attack in Georgia, where the gunman targeted three Asian businesses and killed mostly Asian women, highlights the sexualized racism Asian women have endured for years, including right here in California. And when sexual addiction, not racism, is cited as the root issue, it shows just how pervasive fetishized and hypersexualized stereotypes of Asian women are within our culture.

Over the last year, nearly 3,800 anti-AAPI hate incidents have been reported to the Stop AAPI Hate reporting center. Of those incidents, roughly half occurred in California, making our state the first in the nation for hate incident reports. And the evidence shows that women are disproportionately targeted, making up 63% of all recorded occurrences.

Media and law enforcement in Georgia, and across the nation, have been slow to name this most recent attack as both sexist and racist, furthering the trauma Asian women continue to experience. We have been hypersexualized and fetishized for centuries. It’s become a practice that has been so normalized, we are forced to carry this trauma on our own, day after day. This racist sexualization is a particular kind of dehumanization for Asian women. From sexual come-ons ignorantly intended as a joke or even a compliment, to toxic stereotypes that reinforce submissiveness, to violent assaults, Asian women are locked in a society that has profited off of and perpetuated our hypersexualization.

The stereotypes perpetuated throughout our culture, the criminal justice system, the media, and in Hollywood — they impact our everyday lives and how we navigate our way through society. Repeated portrayals of either a “China Doll” or a “Dragon Lady” as well as forced submissive, hypersexual, or exotic representations, have contributed to an intersection of racism and misogyny uniquely dangerous to Asian women. Worse, it is so normalized in our culture, our institutions remain complicit in what can ultimately lead to violence.

The racialized misogyny experienced by Asian American and Pacific Islander women dehumanizes us and is rooted in white supremacy and hate.

It’s time to call out hate when we see it. It can no longer be ignored or tolerated.

We’re calling out the hypersexualization of Asian women in movies. We’re calling out harmful stereotypes in our schools. We’re calling out racist comments in our workplaces. We’re calling out the headlines in the media that dismiss racist behavior against Asian women.

We’re calling out for our friends, families, and colleagues to join us in our anti-racism work. We’re calling for an end to the widespread rhetoric that spurs violent acts of hate. We’re calling out for help in fighting back against a patriarchal, misogynist system and societal mentality that exploits and victimizes women in our communities.

Jodi Hicks CEO, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California

Betty Yee Fiona Ma, CPA Shirley N. Weber California State Controller California State Treasurer California Secretary of State

Karen Kwan Carol Liu Ling Ling Chang Representative, Utah House of California State Senator (Ret) California State Senator (ret.) Representatives, Minority Whip

Mariko Yamada Diana Colvin Ellen Kamei California State Assemblymember Mayor, Town of Colma Mayor, City of Mountain View (Ret.)

Farrah N. Khan Jocelyn Yow Juslyn Manalo Mayor, City of Irvine Mayor, City of Eastvale Mayor, City of Daly City

Letty Lopez-Viado Lily Mei Marico Sayoc Mayor, City of West Covina Mayor, City of Fremont Mayor, Town of Los Gatos

Melissa Ramoso Rachelle Arizmendi Malia Vella Mayor Pro Tem, City of Artesia Mayor, City of Sierra Madre Vice Mayor, City of Alameda

Pat Gacoscos Tammy Kim Sheng Thao Vice Mayor, City of Union City Vice Mayor, City of Irvine Council President, City of Oakland

Amourence Lee Diedre Thu-Ha Nguyen Dr. Suely Saro Council Member, City of San Council Member, City of Garden Council Member, City of Long Mateo Grove Beach, Council District 6

Flor Nicolas Mai Vang Margaret C Abe-Koga Council Member, City of South Council Member, City of Council Member, City of Sacramento Mountain View

Marie Chuang Priya Bhat-Patel Angelo Farooq Council Member, Town of Council Member, City of Riverside School Board Member, Hillsborough Carlsbad Riverside Unified School District

Deborah J Ikeda Genevieve Shiroma Josina Morita Trustee, State Center Community College Commissioner, CA Public Utilities Commissioner, Metropolitan Water District Commission Reclamation District

Maybelle Manio Naomi Nakano-Matsumoto Sue Chan Board President, Jefferson Elementary Trustee, Fremont Union High School Trustee, Ohlone College School District District

Wendy Ho Zima Creason Annie Chang Long Trustee, San Jose-Evergreen Community Board Member, San Juan Unified School Trustee, City of South Pasadena Library College District District Board of Trustees

Virginia Chang Kiraly Melahat Rafiei Michelle Chiu President, San Mateo County Harbor Board Member, Democratic National Committee President, Asian American Bar Association of Commissioners of the Greater Bay Area

Aisha Wahab Allison Joe Alvina Yeh Mayor Pro Tempore, City of Hayward Chief of Staff, Vice Mayor Jay Schenirer Executive Director, Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO

Angela Lai Annie Lam Ashley Cheng President (2018), Sacramento County Bar Founder, APIs Mobilize Executive Director, Charity Cultural Services Association Center

Cally Wong Carol Kim Cherie Querol Moreno Director, Asian Pacific Islander Council of Political Director, San Diego County Executive Editor, Philippine News Today San Francisco Building & Construction Trades Council

Claudine Cheng Darlene Chiu Elsa Agasid President, APA Heritage Foundation Executive Director, Global SF Commissioner, San Mateo County, CA Commission on Aging

Erin Kothari Francis Cheung Genevieve Jopanda Director of Operations, RISE Partnership President, AAPA Chief Of Staff, California State Treasurer

Ivy Lee Jacintha Knapp Jan Yanehiro Former Trustee, San Francisco City College Co-Founder, Democratic Rountable Council Journalist/Consultant Board

Janice Li Jennifer McCormick Jennifer Wada Board Director, BART CEO, American Freight Logistics Principal, Wada Government Relations LLC

Jenny Bach Jinky Dolar Katherine J. Lee Secretary, California Democratic Party President, OCA Sacramento Chapter Board member, Pacific Asian American Women Bay Area Coalition

Linda Akutagawa Linda Tenerowicz Lisa Thong President & CEO, LEAP (Leadership President, Fem Dems of Sacramento Board Chair, APIs Mobilize Education for Asian Pacifics)

Lorna Randlett Maeley Tom Mary Anne Foo CEO, Leaders Forum Founding President, Calif. APIA Legislative Executive Director, Orange County Asian Caucus Institute and Pacific Islander Community Alliance

(OCAPICA)

Michelle Woo Mona Pasquil Rogers Nan Santiago Editor, Medium President, Asian Pacific Islanders Legislative President, ALLICE (Alliance for Community Caucus Institute Empowerment)

Nanci Nishimura Nancy Bui-Thompson NAPAWF Bay Area Chapter Co-Chair, Leaders Forum President, Board of Directors, Elected to Chapter Core Leader, NAPAWF Bay Area the Board of Directors, Sacramento Chapter

Municipal Utility District

Nilda Valmores Pamela Wu Priscilla Huang Executive Director, My Sister's House Board Member, Asian American Journalists Co-founder, Asian Americans in Action Association (AAJA), Sacramento

Serena Chen Stephanie Nguyen Thuy Vu President, Asian Pacific American Executive Director, Asian Resources, Inc Co-founder & President, Global Mentor Democratic Caucus of Alameda County Network

Yen Marshall Amy Yukiko Monk Angelica Ramos-Allen National Executive Director, Asian Pacific Co-chair, Women's Caucus of the Hawaii Communications Director, National Islander American Public Affairs (APAPA) Democratic Party, Democratic Party of Women’s Political Caucus of California Hawaii Women's Caucus

Annie Chou Bouapha Toommaly Caroline Zheng Chief of Staff, Dave Min Director of Finance, Daily Kos Harvard College Organization of Asian American Sisters in Service

Caryl Ito Catrina Reyes, Esq. Cindy Wu API Advocate Vice President of Advocacy and Policy, Executive Director, LISC Bay Area California Academy of Family Physicians

Danielle Lam Denise Diana R. Shiba, MD. Director, Mastercard Founder, Bun Mee Vietnamese Sandwich President, County Medical Eatery San Francisco Association

Dominique Lee Emily Ann Ramos Emily Murase COO, Planned Parenthood Mar Monte Chair of the Mountain View Rental Housing Board Member, San Francisco Japanese Committee American Citizens League

Farah Bala Felicia Sze Grace Chan McKibben Founder & CEO, FARSIGHT Managing Partner, Athene Law, LLP Executive Director, Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community

Grace Lin Grace Yu, MD Hyepin im COO, PPPSGV District 7 Board Member, CAFP Board of President, Faith and Community Directors Empowerment

Jennifer “Jae” Pi’ilaniwahine Requiro Jennifer Pae Jenny Wong Board Member, Asian & Pacific Islander Deputy Political Director, Way to Win Berkeley City Auditor, City of Berkeley American Health Forum

Jessica Hsiang Ng Kelly Fong Rivas Leslie Francis Managing Director, Mercury, LLC Chief Of Staff, Mayor Darrell Steinberg, City VIce President, Kaiser Permanente of Sacramento

Lily Quan Lisa Matsubara Lisa Tran CEO, Q Homes General Counsel, Planned Parenthood Legislative Aide, Affiliates of California

Louansee Moua Mae Torlakson Maha Rizvi Deputy Chief of Staff, City of San Jose Vice Chair/Board Member, Ambrose Boardmember, Planned Parenthood of Recreation and Park District Pacific Southwest

Marily Mondejar Marleen Wong, Ph.D. Maureen De Nieva-Marsh CEO, Filipina Women’s Network CEO, Center for Safe and Resilient Schools Board Member, Asian American Alliance of and Workplaces Marin

Melissa Apuya Nancy Hoang Nikki Ragsac District Director, Office of Gift Planning Coordinator, Planned Chief of Staff, Planned Parenthood Assemblymember Marc Levine Parenthood Federation of America Affiliates of California

ramana annamraju Rebecca Soon Stephanie Tom CEO, Medbricks LLC Chair, Patsy T. Mink PAC Chief Consultant, Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus, California State

Legislature

Susanna Flaster Yuhsien Wu Yvonne Choong Board Member, Planned Parenthood of the Co-Founder, Veritas Education Leaders, Vice President, Health Policy, California Pacific Southwest 501(c)(3) Medical Association

Yvonne Lee Zainab Ali Alyssa Lee Former commissioner, San Francisco police Chief of Staff, Alliance College-Ready Public 20-'21 Senate Fellow, Senator Dave Min commission Schools

Angelica Jongco Bianca Siravo Bonnie Fong Deputy Managing Attorney, Public WHNP, Planned Parenthood Vice Chair, Chinese American Service Advocates Inc League

Carmen Chu Caroline Cheung CC Song SF City Administrator Communications Manager, City of Brisbane Director of Regulatory Affairs, Clean Power Alliance of

Celia W Lee Charise Fong Chelsea Maughan Kohler Attorney/Partner, Goldfarb & Lipman LLP COO, East Bay Asian Local Development SVP, Communications & Public Affairs, The Corporation Pill Club

Danni Wang Deborah Gee Deepa Sharma Communications Director, Senator Dave Producer/Director, 9 Star Productions Treasurer, California Democratic Party Min Asian Pacific Islander Caucus

Denise Tugade Diana Vu Dr. Chelsy Pham Political Director, Young AAPI Democrats of Legislative Advocate, Association of CA CIO, San Joaquin Delta College Sacramento School Administrators

Ellen Shiau Fatima Bustos-Choy, PhD Heidi Pyle Associate Professor, California State Founder, WholeMind Power Consulting, Economic Development, SMUD University Los Angeles WholeMind Power Consulting

Irene B Bueno Jacob Hsu Jade Agua Partner, NVG LLC CEO, Catalyte Chief Learning Officer, USC Race and Equity Center

Jas Alexis Ladao Jaya Padmanabhan Jeanie Lee Medical Assistant (Mrs.), Planned Columnist Festival Director, California Dragon Boat Parenthood Association

Jennifer Doane Jessica Chinen Jihee Huh MA, Planned Parenthood VP of Finance, PPOSBC Vice Chairman, Pafco

Johanna Hester Leslie Price Mariko Kahn Asst. Executive Drector, Asian Pacific Lead Clinician, Planned Parenthood of the Executive Director, Pacific Asian Counseling American Labor Alliance and United Pacific Southwest Services Domestic Workers

Mary Jung Morgan Lai Nat Hansuvadha Former Chair, San Francisco Democratic General Partner, Formulate Ventures Professor, CSU Long Beach Party, `

Navpreet Khabra Pat Chirapravati Priya Reddy Tenant Rights Organizer, RISE Coalition Professor, CSUS Registered Nurse, Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest

Raghu Trichur Rebecca Lee Renee Tajima-Peña Professor, Sacramento State University, Senior Manager of Government Affairs, Professor, UCLA Sacramento, CA. NRG Energy, Inc

rita cameron wedding Rowena M. Tomaneng Serena Chin Kirk Professor, Sacramento State University Professor, University of San Francisco Principal Policy Consultant, IDEATE California

Shannon Connolly Sonya Logman Steve Song , Planned Parenthood Orange and San Senior Advisor, California Department of VP, ZOOMLION Capital Bernardino Public Health

Sujatha Moni Susan Lew Swethaa Ballakrishnen Professor, CSUS President, Asian Americans in Action Assistant Professor of Law, UCI

Tami Bui Tejal Turakhia Shah Tera Flores Hannah Senior Government Affairs Manager, Turo Co-Founder, Votivate Executive Assistant, City of Sacramento

Tina Zicari Tracy Lu Victoria Tung Professor, UC Davis Financial Analyst, Planned Parenthood Chair, Board of Directors, Silicon Valley Pacific Southwest Council of Non Profits

Vivien Villaverde Vy Tran Abby Wu Co-Founder, Center for Safe and Resilient Chief Compliance Officer, Varian Consultant, APA Schools and Workplaces

Ada Yu Adena Ishii Aileen Sagara

Alanna Onishi Alanna Powell Alissa Ko CEO, Boldly Me

Allison He, PhD Amal Nanavati Amy J Wang , Kaiser Permanente PhD Student, University of Washington Meditation teacher, CCP

Angie Zhang Ann Tran, PhD Annalisa Enrile, Ph.D. MD, Loma Linda University Medical Center Clinical Psychologist, Small business owner Clinical Professor, USC Suzanne Dworak- Peck School of Social Work

Annie E. Cho Annie Ye Arcadi Kolchak Self Employed Manager, East West Bank

Ashish Malik Ashley Chang Atalie Chan Business owner

Belle Yang Betty Chu Beverly Lee Author Illustrator Technical Program Manager, Williams- Sonoma Inc.

Beverly Ng C Gee Caren Vance

Carla Carr Carmen Ren Carol Chen Friends' Committee, My Sisters House Principal Product Designer, Stitch Fix

Caroline Chao Carolyn Chan Carrie Lew Retired

Catherine Buan Catherine Shin Catherine Tran VP IR, Asana Head of Operations, VL Properties

Cc Yu Chanthip Phongkhamsavath Charles Coker Managing Director, Dasym Media

Chesley Ong Christina Bui Christine Aficial Chief Revenue Officer, Kranz

Christine Harada Christine Lee Christine Oh Former Federal Chief Sustainability Officer, Coach and Consultant Obama White House

Christine Yu Claire curtis Cora Tellez Portfolio Manager (Director), British Airways

Courtni Pugh Crystal Chun Crystal Strait Political Consultant Advocate

Crystel Moreno Daljit Bains Daphne Nguyen Nurse Mother/sister/daughter/aunt/friend/Regist ered Nurse

Darlene Davis Deb Dory Deborah Soon Retired SVP, Catalyst

Denise Suen Diana Diane Mori-Stewart

Diane Ujiiye Ditka Reiner Doan-Nhu BUI Minister, AAPI Christians for Social Justice Dr

Donna Estacio Donna Kuntz Donna Nguyen Vice President, Brookfield Properties Female Asian

Dorene Liu Elaine Chiao Friends' Committee, My Sisters House

Elaine Nagashima Elissa Ouchida Elizabeth Takeshita Consultant, API Legislative Caucus

Ella Wolfgramm Ellen Almirol Ellen Yin-Wycoff

Elsie Choi-Pletts Eun Min Park Fay C Meng MBA Candidate, Stanford GSB Financial Advisor, UBS

Florence On Frances Simon George Yueh Coach, ShapeShift Coach

Ginger Lew Gloria Grace Chang Indivdiual, retired Co-founder, Bearcat Content Artist

Grace Jean Liao H.G. Nguyen Haley Neih Grace Liao, Self employed Vice President, HDR GROUP Development Associate, New Energy Nexus

Hạnh Phúc Hứa Heather Zahiri Helen Hwang Realtor Campaigns Director, Accelerator for America Action

Herminia D. Arroyo Ho Yan Nip Holly Lim Ms Consultant, Holly Lim Strategies

Iris Chi Isaiah Zachariah Iso Nakasato , Univ of Southern California San Jose Officer, Silicon Valley DSA Community Outreach Analyist, California Department of Insurance

Jacqueline Guan Jadine Nielsen Jamie fang AAPI Advocate Seld employee

Jane Chin Jane Low Jaspreet Johl Community Volunteer, Chinatown Community Development Center

Jeane Relleve Caveness Jeanelle Loui Jeanie Title IX Coordinator/Assoc. Dean of Office Manager, Office of the Lieutenant Students Emerita, CSU Long Beach Governor

Jennifer Huang Jenny Ng Jessica director/producer, Treeclimber Media

Jessica Ho Jessica Liao Jessie

Jessie Benitez Jiang Rufeng Wang Joan Haratani Partner, Morgan Lewis

Joanna Scafuto Judy deFreitas Judy Fong Parent Ms., Self

Judy Ki Julia Ma Powers Julia Mates Former CAPIAA Commissioner

Julia Zhao Julia Zhu Julie Lu Lawyer, Reed Smith

Julie ngo Juyan Zhang Nurse

Karen Chang Karen Eng

Karina H Kasmira Nguyen Katherine Liu FNP

Katheryn M. Fong Kathryn Doi Kim Wang Former Board Member, Chinese for Friends' Committee, My Sister's House Affrmative Action

Kimberly Lee Kiwi Huynh Kristin Kuntz

Kristina Wong Laura Jenkins leah segawa Performance Artist, Auntie Sewing Squad

Leanne Wang Lei Wang Lenie Ramos

Lilian Duong Lily Chen Linda Lesbian, Asian American, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, Self-employed

Linda Lam Linda Phan Lindy Li

Lisa Chen Lisa Esses Lisa Hasegawa

Lisa Kwan-Golden Lori Williams Lourdes S. Tancinco President CEO, TANCINCO LAW. P.C.

Lucretia Heath Luisa Blue Lynn Chen Executive VP (ret), Service Employees , English Teacher International Union

Mable Huang Maia Peterson Mandy Lee Student, Tufts University

Manni Liu Margaret S.Enkoji Maria Claridge

Maria Shih Marina Weiss Marjee Balite Ms, None Medical Assistant, Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest

Martha Kreeger Mary Cabriales Mary Cheryl Bravo Gloner , Delegate AD-25 Chief Executive Officer (Nonprofit Executive & Community Health Advocate), Project

Safety Net, Inc. (San Jose, CA resident)

Mary McCune Mary R. Lee Mary Yin Liu Director, Conflicts of Interest Office, Stanford University

Maw Shein Win Megan Kain Megan Nakano Author, Educator Cost Controller, DPR Construction

Megha Kadakia Melissa David Michaelle McGaraghan Producer, Blue Velocity Pictures

Michele Lew Michelle Zhang Millie Hsi Graphic Designer

Ming Dickinson Minji Wong Minna Tao Founder, At Her Best, LLC VP & Director, Recology

Mona Lisa Yuchengco Monia Roedershiemer Monica Tong Publisher, PositivelyFilipino.com

Myla Namrata A Mujumdar Nancy Lee Manager Attorney, Nancy P. Lee, PC

Neeta Bidwai Nhat Le-Huynh Nicole brisco Mother and Small Business Owner, Partners Pacific Optometry

Nicole Briscoe Nicole Kwon Nikita Patil-Bytel CA Legislative Advocate, NRDC

Noelle Lee Nomi Nguyen Noriko Lim-Tepper Manager, UCSF Beauty Stylist, Nordstrom

Norlyn Olivia Lee Palma you Lobbyist Recording Secretary, Los Angeles County Democratic Party

Pamela Tom Patricia Takemoto Pauline Ang Filmmaker, New Moon Pictures

Ping Hsiung Pooja Quynh-An Phan Mrs. LMFT

Quynh-Le Nguyen Rachel Chen Rachelle Gee Senior Social Media Manager Dr.

Rebecca Padnos Altamirano Rémy De La Peza Rhea Willoughby Founder, Tangelo Founder | Principal, morena strategies

Rina Wang Roneille Marsha Alvarez Rosalyn Chen Chair of Board of Directors, Every Woman Treaty

Sabrina Moyle Sally Westlake samantha meng shui Co-Founder, Hello!Lucky AICO, State of California Department of , site design group, ltd. insurance

Sandy Mori Satomi Rash-Zeigler Serena Fong Director of program development and Senior Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Leader outreach, SD&I Labor Council

Shalini Swaroop Shan Mukhtar Shannon Leong General Counsel & Director of Policy, Marin Clean Energy (MCE)

Sheena Nadeau

Stacey Eng Stacey Urauchi Stefanie Cruz Intervention Director, UCLA Center for Media Consultant Community Health

Steph Stephanie Arata Stephanie Chen , Self employed

Stephanie Cheng Suejean Kim Susan Wang MS4

Susan Woo-Fukuda Tammy Tran Tania Gray Senior Manager, Local Public Affairs, Southern California Edison

Teresa Chan Teresa Tan Terrie Chan

Thet Shein Win Tiffany Black Tina Russell Artist, Writer, Cultural Anthropologist, Mother

Tina Yang Tonia Chao Hsieh Trinh Le Producer, KarMa Pictures

Trinh Pham Trisha Lagaso Goldberg Valerie Ho , Asian community United.

Valerie Willett Vicki Shu Vicky Director and SVP (int), Development & Tech BD and Account Management, Google Communications, East Bay Asian Local

Development Corporation

Victoria Alvarado Vivian Po Winnie Lu Anderson