Advocating and caring for individuals and communities negatively impacted by racial and social injustice is core to Community Health Plan of Washington’s mission. As a health care organization founded by the Community Health Center movement nearly 30 years ago, our work has deep roots in the civil rights movement.
We are acutely aware of the toll systemic racism and economic injustices have on the health and welfare of our communities. The COVID-19 pandemic has only amplified this direct connection.
We affirm that Black Lives Matter. Unless and until black lives are valued no less than white lives, the gap between our country’s ideals and reality will only widen.
We support peaceful actions to address racial inequality and social justice.
We actively seek to address inequalities in healthcare, and in social, environmental, political, and economic environments that negatively affect the well-being of historically marginalized peoples.
We commit to our journey of anti-racism and stand in solidarity with our members, patients, colleagues and community partners.
We work as an ally with our communities.
Condemning Racism, Xenophobia and Intolerance Against Asians, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
Recently, there have been multiple news stories about violent crimes perpetrated against Asians and Asian Americans in cities across America from the San Francisco Bay area to New York City such as this article in the New York Times called “A Tense Lunar New Year for the Bay Area After Attacks on Asian-Americans.” These accounts shine a light on the uptick in attacks and brutality that Asian communities are seeing – including incidents in our own Seattle neighborhoods.
As many Asian communities celebrate the Lunar New Year this week, Community Health Plan of Washington seeks to raise awareness of this troubling increase in hate crimes and call upon us all to speak out against hate and the underlying causes of intolerance. We fully condemn all acts of racism, xenophobia, and intolerance against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI), and others who have faced similar attacks. The increase in intolerance and acts of violence against AAPI individuals, families, and communities must concern us all – as we are all harmed when hatred is allowed to spread and grow. Particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, we must speak out against the scapegoating of innocent people who are also suffering under its deadly force.
We will continue to call out and condemn inflammatory and xenophobic rhetoric and acts of aggression against members of the AAPI community and all peoples who experience racism, aggression, or mistreatment simply because of who they are – whether it is their ethnic or racial background, their religious beliefs or their sexual orientation. We must all continue to seek a more equitable and just world where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.
Leanne Berge
Chief Executive Officer
Community Health Plan of Washington/Community Health Network of Washington
