Stop Asian Hate

What happened in Atlanta, GA two nights ago is despicable, cold-hearted, and cruel. It’s just another case on top of the already 3,800 cases of hate crimes against AAPI people since the beginning of the pandemic. These ongoing acts of violence and vitriol aren’t just wrong, they’re plain evil. I’m horrified at how they’re directed towards people who look like me and my loved ones.

Though the name of this studio, “Santoro,” is Italian for “Feast of Saints,” I am also proudly half Chinese and embrace my family’s heritage and history. My grandfather brought my mother and his family here to escape the Communist Part in China. He and my grandmother worked tirelessly to raise their family in Boston’s Chinatown, and for a piece of the American Dream. They are both my reason for being, as well as the rest of my family. My grandfather continues to be an inspiration for how I want to run this studio, and for me personally.

I and this studio, stand against this virulent evil—in solidarity, love, and heartbreak—with the AAPI community. I stand with my talented, promising, and already accomplished AAPI former students—I’ve never stopped being proud of you. I stand with my AAPI friends who also wake up every morning to make a difference in their community. Most importantly, I stand with my family; the one my grandfather helped create. If you are reading this and want to support AAPI’s through this dreadful time, here is a list of organizations to donate towards. Support Asian-run businesses since they’ve taken a huge hit this past year. Most importantly, if you have Asian American people in your life, reach out to them. Hear their pain. Listen. Be there for them. Speak out against this with them.