Yumi Hogan: "Stop Asian Hate... Now Is the Time to Raise Our Voices"

▲Larry Hogan, Governor of Maryland, USA (right), and Yumi Hogan (left)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Yumi Hogan, the Korean-American First Lady of Maryland, USA, appealed for Asians to raise their voices to stop hatred against Asian Americans in relation to the Atlanta shooting incident.

On the 22nd (local time), First Lady Hogan visited 'Korean Road' in Howard County with her husband, Governor Larry Hogan, touring nearby businesses such as restaurants and beauty shops to listen to the difficulties faced by the Asian community. Korean Road is a name led by First Lady Hogan.

This event was arranged to directly hear the hardships of Asians following the shooting incident on the 16th in Atlanta, Georgia, where a total of eight people, including four Korean women, were killed.

First Lady Hogan is the first Korean-American to become a governor’s spouse, the first Asian-American First Lady of Maryland, and a first-generation immigrant with three Korean-American daughters.

She emphasized, "All Asian Americans have pursued the American Dream, worked hard, served the community, and contributed to the economy," adding, "Our story is the American story, and the American story is our story."

She also stressed, "Why should we be afraid? As proud citizens of this country, we should fear nothing."

First Lady Hogan said, "I hope everyone remembers that we are all Americans and immigrants," and "This is a place where Asian Americans, like everyone else, build our lives and call home, and no one should be told to go back somewhere."

She continued, "Stop the hate," adding, "There is no hope if we do not love one another." She appealed, "Please remember why this country is envied worldwide," saying, "It is because of diversity."

First Lady Hogan emphasized, "Raising our voices as Asian Americans is not part of our culture. Especially first-generation immigrants always work hard," but added, "Now is the time to raise our voices."

Governor Hogan, nicknamed the 'Korean son-in-law,' announced that he instructed the state police to increase patrols in response to the rise in violence and discrimination against Asians.

He also urged the legislature to pass bills to improve and expand hate crime reporting and called on federal and state prosecutors to investigate hate crime allegations.

He said, "My sincere hope is that more leaders in this country raise their voices about the need to confront discrimination, hatred, and violence against Asians."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.