Statement from PPAC President and CEO Jodi Hicks on Recent White Supremacist Terrorism Attack Upon AAPI Women

Date: March 17, 2021

Contact: Elizabeth Wells, (916) 233-3760, [email protected]

SACRAMENTO  —  Jodi Hicks, President/CEO of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, on the white supremacist terrorism that occurred on Wednesday in Georgia, taking eight lives, six of whom were Asian American women:

“As a Chinese American woman, I’ve seen how Asian women have long been stereotyped, objectified, and fetishized, and how our identity is often reduced to racist humor. This dehumanization is what spurs acts of horrific violence. We know hate crimes like what we witnessed yesterday are a part of a larger legacy of racism, misogyny, and xenophobia that has become entrenched in our policies, institutions, and even our media.

“We need to call what happened last night what it is—racist violence with roots in white supremacy. And it cannot be ignored or tolerated. We mourn for those lost and condemn the hatred fueling this surge in violence has directed towards Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and particularly AAPI women. We must include AAPI communities in our anti-racism work and continue to call out and stand against the hateful rhetoric and violence within our communities and institutions.”

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Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California (PPAC) is the state public policy office representing California’s seven separately incorporated Planned Parenthood affiliates. Through advocacy and electoral action, PPAC promotes sound public policy in areas of sexual and reproductive health care and sex education.