Already this year we have seen horrifying acts of violence against the BIPOC community and other historically marginalized communities.The loss of a sense of safety and hope for many who celebrate the Lunar New Year is especially insidious, since coming together for traditional holidays is a way for many to renew spirits and minds in the wake of a rise in hate crimes targeting the AAPI community. We are angered and saddened by the actions taken by the gunman which shattered the worlds of those who were involved, and for those who are left to pick up the pieces.
Additionally, the recent tragic murder of Tyre Nichols by officers of the Memphis Police Department reminds us that we have a long way to go as a country toward racial equity. New Narrative condemns in the strongest possible terms the use of state-sanctioned violence against the Black community, and the failure of our systems to prevent the needless and terrible loss of Tyre’s life. We grieve with his family and loved ones, and commit to continuing to build a future based on dismantling racist structures and systems which perpetuate brokenness in communities and generational mental trauma.
As a mental health agency, we exist to support the mental wellbeing of everyone seeking services. We recognize our responsibility in providing trauma-informed and culturally-sensitive care, and are thankful for Black- and AAPI-led organizations within our Portland community including APANO, Brown Hope, Don’t Shoot PDX, as well as the national Black Lives Matter movement. Please consider supporting these and other organizations and their work to dismantle racism in Portland and beyond.
In solidarity,
New Narrative
