Lexington Philharmonic Statement Against Racism and Violence Against Individuals of Asian Descent, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

The Lexington Philharmonic condemns the horrifying violence and hate crimes against the Asian, Asian American and Pacific Islander communities last week in Georgia. The mass shooting and murder of eight people, including six Asian women was another senseless act of violence during a year in which racism and xenophobia has escalated against the Asian, Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. We stand in solidarity with our artists, friends, loved ones, colleagues, and neighbors of the AAPI community. 

As a cultural institution serving our region, we will use the power and privilege of our platform to show solidarity with those in our community facing oppression, violence and racism. 

As an organization, we recognize that a statement or social media post stating our grief and solidarity is not enough. We are committed to investing the time and resources as both individuals and as a cultural institution to examine how we perpetuate systems of inequity. AAPI discrimination precedes the pandemic. It is imperative that ALL of us educate ourselves about the history of violence and discrimination against the AAPI community, and to call on one another to build a more compassionate and inclusive future for our art forms and our world.

We ask our LexPhil community to learn more and get involved. Below are only a few of the many resources available to support and stand with the AAPI community.

https://stopaapihate.org/
https://www.advancingjustice-aajc.org/
https://anti-asianviolenceresources.carrd.co/