Join us for this very important conversation on Wednesday, March 31 at 5 pm via Zoom.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for a wonderfully productive panel. Below, we have compiled the resources that were posted in the chat during the Q&A session.
Category: Announcements
Connecticut Asian Pacific American Bar Association Signs on to Letter to Harvard Law School Dean Denouncing Article on “Comfort Women” By Professor Mark Ramseyer
CONNECTICUT ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION SIGNS ON TO LETTER TO HARVARD LAW SCHOOL DEAN DENOUNCING ARTICLE ON “COMFORT WOMEN” BY PROFESSOR MARK RAMSEYER
The Connecticut Asian Pacific American Bar Association (“CAPABA”) joins the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (“NAPABA”) in demanding that Harvard Law School rebuke Professor J. Mark Ramseyer for his flawed and misleading recent publications concerning “comfort women.”
For years, the Asian American community has sought to support and educate the public about the plight of “comfort women” and other human trafficking victims, past and present. The government of Japan, in the 1930’s through the end of World War II, forced women to provide sex to its soldiers; these thousands of victims of sexual slavery, commonly referred to as “Comfort Women,” were kidnapped or coerced from countries including China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, and the Philippines.
Harvard Law Professor Ramseyer’s recent writings convey an offensive and wholly unsupported narrative in which these victims were willing participants.
CAPABA President Dan A. Brody states, “CAPABA joins NAPABA in urging Harvard Law School to disavow this professor’s inaccurate and inappropriate writings, which fall short of the standards expected of Harvard Law School’s scholarship.”
The letter to Harvard Law School is attached.
NAPABA’s 2014 Statement on comfort women is here.
About the Connecticut Asian Pacific American Bar Association
The Connecticut Asian Pacific American Bar Association (CAPABA®) is the only association geared towards Asian Pacific American attorneys in Connecticut.
Press Inquiries:
Dan A. Brody, Esq.
CAPABA, President
Phone: (860) 275-6416
E-mail: dbrody@rc.com
Connecticut Asian Pacific American Bar Association’s Stand Against Racism
CONNECTICUT ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION’S STAND AGAINST RACISM
On Tuesday, a gunman targeted and killed eight individuals during three attacks on businesses in the Atlanta, Georgia area. Six of those killed were Asian-American women.
CAPABA stands with the victims and their families. Dan Brody, President of CAPABA issued the following statement: “Our deepest sympathies go out to all those touched by this horrific crime.
While we understand that these murders are still being investigated, what needs no further investigation is the fact that six of the victims were Asian women. Although we at CAPABA and many others are well aware of it, it may be news to others that violent and hateful acts against Asian Americans have increased exponentially in the last year. Many of our fellow Americans have taken to violence against people who look like us and made us the target of hate crimes that have inflicted serious injury and ended lives. These people are cowards and racists. They have targeted vulnerable members of American society, including the elderly and, like the shooter in Atlanta, unarmed women.
Unfortunately, this is nothing new. Historically, Asian Americans have been victimized, scapegoated, and killed in this country just for being different. Laws have been put in place to keep out Asian immigrants. During WWII, Japanese Americans were imprisoned just for being Japanese—an act that our courts said comported with our Constitutional principles. In response to 9-11, South Asians were targeted for their skin color and how they dressed. More recently, the number of reported hate-fueled and unprovoked attacks on Asians has increased drastically. Not only is our safety at risk from a deadly virus, but from violence perpetrated by our neighbors as evidenced by the thousands of reported attacks nationwide. These incidents are even more alarming when we consider that the increase in anti-Asian attacks has occurred during a time when so many people avoid or limit going out in public. What does that say about how racist our society is?
According to Stop AAPI Hate, an organization formed in March 2020 in response to the increase in anti-Asian discrimination during the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly 3,800 racist incidents targeting people of Asian descent hate have been reported during the last year. That represents an increase in anti-Asian hate crimes in 2020 of 149 percent from 2019, according to a study published by the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism (CSUSB). In contrast, CSUSB reports that overall hate crimes have decreased by seven percent during that same period, further underscoring the targeting of Asian-Americans over the last year.
Our goal is to support the education of our community and the movement to end racism not just against Asians, but all minorities. We are heartened by the support extended by other underrepresented and marginalized communities and bar associations. Like other minorities, Asian Americans have never been fully accepted in this country by some of our fellow Americans. We can only hope that this changes and that no more lives are lost.”
To stand with CAPABA, visit Stop AAPI Hate at https://stopaapihate.org/ and the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association’s hate-crime reporting and resource page at https://www.napaba.org/page/HateCrimeResources.
Join CAPABA on March 31 for a panel discussion titled: Stand Up, Speak Out, Be Seen: Moving From Violence to Equity & Inclusion for Asian and Pacific Islander Americans.
Join a roundtable event on April 8, hosted by UConn Law School at which members from the Connecticut legal community can come together and for dialogue, education, and personal reflections.
Support the legislation proposed by United States Representative Grace Meng (NY-06), First Vice Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), and United States Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Executive Board Member of CAPAC to reintroduce the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, which seeks to address the ongoing hate and violence targeted toward Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders by providing greater assistance with law enforcement response to COVID-19 hate crimes and by creating a position at the Department of Justice to facilitate expedited review of such cases. (https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/6721)
Support the bipartisan Connecticut SB 678 introduced by Senators Saud Anwar, Tony Hwang, Cathy Osten, and Derek Slap, which mandates the inclusion of Asian Pacific American studies as part of the Connecticut social studies curriculum. (2021SB-00678-R00-SB.PDF (ct.gov))
About the Connecticut Asian Pacific American Bar Association
The Connecticut Asian Pacific American Bar Association (CAPABA™) is the only association geared towards Asian Pacific American attorneys in Connecticut.
Press Inquiries:
Dan A. Brody, Esq.
CAPABA, President
Phone: (860) 275-6416
E-mail: dbrody@rc.com
CAPABA Marks Second Annual AAPI Day Against Bullying and Hate
On May 18, 2020, cities, elected officials, influencers and community groups are commemorating the second annual Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Day Against Bullying and Hate, led by anti-bullying nonprofit Act To Change. CAPABA is committed to ending bullying and hate in the AAPI community and is proud to join this movement.
AAPI Day Against Bullying and Hate is part of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and marks the birthday of Vincent Chin. In 1982, Chin was falsely blamed for the layoffs in the auto industry, and brutally murdered in a hate crime. His murder fueled a national Asian American movement, one that must continue today, in light of the rising xenophobia and hate crimes surrounding COVID-19.
Sadly, our society continues to ostracize people who are AAPI. Every day, kids of all ages suffer from being bullied online and in schools across the country. In the AAPI community, this problem is often compounded by cultural, religious, and linguistic barriers that can keep these youth from seeking and receiving help. And certain AAPI groups – including South Asian, Muslim, Sikh, Micronesian, LGBTQ, immigrant, and limited English proficient youth – are more likely to be the targets of bullying.
This issue is now exacerbated by COVID-19. People of Asian descent are being blamed for the virus and targeted in verbal and physical attacks. There have been over 1500 cases of anti-Asian discrimination reported since the beginning of the pandemic. We publicly denounce all bullying and hate against the AAPI community, and stand in solidarity with Act To Change to encourage the public to foster dialogue, share resources, and end bullying and hate.
Message from the President
Dear CAPABA members and friends,
I extend to each of you my very best wishes amid the health crisis we are facing due to COVID-19. I hope that you and your families are well and staying safe. If there is any support I can give you, even if it is a call to catch-up during these isolating times, please reach out to me and let me know.
The Board, Officers, and I have been monitoring the spread and developments of the coronavirus in our state and around the world. As the situation continues to worsen, we urge you all to stay home, exercise caution when in public spaces, and be diligent in the protection and care of yourself and others. We will get through this.
I am conscious that this message adds an additional COVID-19 email to your inboxes that you may be checking from home amid a host of child care, health, and other new challenges. For that reason, I have tried to limit the number of CAPABA emails during this time. Today, I send this message to deliver a number of updates and to urge you to remain connected with each other.
- As you may know, CAPABA had to cancel its panel discussion and showing of the play, The Chinese Lady, at Long Wharf Theatre in March. This was disappointing as we had sold out all of our tickets and even received additional RSVP’s up to the day of cancellation. I want to thank An-Ping Hsieh for bringing this important opportunity to us and for all of his hard work in arranging the speakers and showing.
- On March 19, I signed onto a NAPABA Statement condemning the use of terms like “Chinese Virus” and “Wuhan Virus” and calling for action against the racial attacks that those statements lead to. See the statement here.
- The Connecticut Bar Association has organized a COVID-19 Task Force. There are many subcommittees to the Task Force. CAPABA would like to appoint members to work on the Task Force and with the CBA’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee that is working to address instances of anti-Asian racism. Please let me know if you would like to participate on the Task Force.
- Relatedly, instances of anti-Asian sentiment and racism have been on the rise throughout the country and world. They can be subtle, as in avoiding Asian businesses, or more open and even violent. If you, or anyone you know, has experienced any instances of anti-Asian racism, please report it to me so that I can share the report (anonymously) with the Task Force.
- The CBA is gathering donations for Connecticut Food Bank and Food Share. CAPABA will make a contribution. Individual contributions can also be made. This effort seeks to provide the most help to our community as possible with each $10 contribution providing 25 meals. We will circulate materials on how to contribute in the next email.
- On Friday, April 3, at 3:00 p.m., NAPABA’s Civil Rights Committee and AABANY are presenting the following webinar: Pandemic and Acts of Hate Against Asian Americans: From Past to Present. The program will cover current and past instances of racial abuse directed toward Asian Americans and discuss ways to fight discrimination. Register here.
- Recently, the Lawyers Collaborative for Diversity announced the appointment of Joelle A. Murchison as their new Executive Director. Ms. Murchison is the former Chief Diversity Officer of both the University of Connecticut and Travelers. She currently leads her own diversity & inclusion consulting group. CAPABA looks forward to continuing its collaboration with LCD under Ms. Murchison’s leadership.
- As your organization re-works its attorney hiring and summer programs, remember to please update both candidates with offers and applicants, as well as law school career offices. Particularly in the wake of the postponement of the July bar exam in Connecticut, students are understandably stressed about their future plans. The National Association for Law Placement (NALP) may be one resource for developing remote opportunities for summer associates and others.
- CAPABA is working to assist the Asian-owned small businesses in our state by providing information regarding steps they can take to cope with changes and challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. Please send requests for help or information to me. In the meantime, small businesses impacted by COVID-19 can apply for loans here.
I know that a lot is changing. We (mostly) work from home and our student members attend virtual classes. Some of us are preparing to celebrate Passover and Easter next week without the coming together of family that helps make those holidays so special. Despite these changes, I ask that we still stay connected.
- Please email, call, or Zoom another member, or members, at least once a week, just to connect and chat.
- Follow the example set by our Attorney General, William Tong, and support your local Asian restaurants by ordering takeout from them, to the extent you order out. It has never been more important to do what we can to support our community.
- Complete the census, TODAY. Asian Americans are often undercounted and unrepresented. Please take a few minutes to complete the census by clicking here.
I look forward to seeing you all as soon as possible and celebrating CAPABA’s 20th Anniversary this fall.
Finally, good luck with your home workouts!
Truly yours,
Dan Brody, President of CAPABA
dbrody@rc.com
Retirement of An-Ping Hsieh
Congratulations to An-Ping Hsieh on his retirement from Hubbell! Check out the pictures from the party CAPABA™ held in his honor!
Seeking Referral
CAPABA member seeking a referral to a law firm in India for a commercial dispute. Please send responses to Amy Lin Meyersonat amy@almesq.com.
Congratulations to Prerna Rao!
We would like to congratulate our very own CAPABA president, Prerna Rao, for being recognized as a New Leader in the Law by the Connecticut Law Tribune. Congratulations and we’re looking forward to many more achievements to come!