Grizzlies vice president Rich Cho on anti-Asian attacks: 'We cannot let this behavior ever become normalized'
Hate crimes against Asian Americans have increased within the year in the United States and the NBA community is condemning the racist attacks.
There’s one important figure who is speaking out. Rich Cho broke racial barriers in 2010 when he was named the general manager of the Portland Trail Blazers, the first Asian American to be hired in that role in the NBA.
“The past year has been such a sobering time in the area of racial injustice, particularly as these issues affect the Black community and now as incidents rise against Asian Americans,” Cho, who is currently the Memphis Grizzlies vice president of basketball strategy, told Yahoo Sports. “Hate crimes and hate speech are things so cruel and reprehensible, yet they occur almost daily. Many of these attacks never even make the news, but they still happen. We cannot let this behavior ever become normalized.”
Some misguided individuals are linking Asian Americans to the coronavirus, thus committing heinous acts against innocent people.
The latest devastating incident occurred on March 16 in Atlanta when a 21-year-old white gunman opened fire on three different spas that left eight people dead. Six of the victims were Asian women.
The local authorities have been slow to rule the tragedy as a hate crime, being that the shooter relayed that he had a sex addiction.
It has caused yet another outrage in what many believe the deep-rooted issue stems from systemic racism.
Cho, 55, says regardless of race, ethnicity and gender, we as a people have an obligation to speak up, embrace racial equality and condemn violence.
“The events of the past year have also brought a renewed energy toward openly advocating for racial justice among many groups,” Cho told Yahoo Sports. “While there is still much to be done, I’m encouraged by the outpouring of support across the country from allies who have condemned hate against Asian Americans. As an Asian immigrant and proud father of two young daughters, I’m reminded every day that we have an absolute duty to stand up against any and all forms of racism.”
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