Healing Asian Hate Since Vincent Chin

New Canaan Library, OCAFC, STAR, and AAPI Westport proudly present Healing Asian Hate Since Vincent Chin in celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander National Heritage (AAPI) Month. Join us for a panel discussion exploring the current climate of hate and what individuals, communities, and businesses can do to reduce racial bias. The panel begins at 6:30 PM in the Library’s Jim & Dede Bartlett Auditorium, followed by a reception showcasing Asian foods.

Vincent Chin was a young Chinese man who was racially assaulted in public by two white auto workers who had recently lost their jobs. In the 1980s fuel-efficient Japanese cars gave Detroit serious competition, leading to massive layoffs. Racial tensions were high. The two autoworkers followed him into the parking lot and beat him to death with a baseball bat. The two pleaded guilty to manslaughter and were sentenced to a mere three years’ probation and a $3,000 fine and served no jail time. This incident became the impetus for the Asian American civil rights movement. 

Panelists:

Dr. Jason Chang
Director of Asian & Asian American Studies & Associate Professor of History, UConn
Ms. Ngoc Dinh
Director of Customer Success, Microsoft
Ms. Carmen Hughes
Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility Strategies Officer, City of Stamford
Mr. William Tong, Esq.
Attorney General, State of CT.

The moderator will be Ms. Pauline Ning Brody, VP, OCA-Fairfield County Chapter 

About Our Partners:

OCAFC - Organization of Chinese Americans Fairfield County, also known as Asian Pacific American Advocates, is a chapter of the OCA National organization based in Washigton, DC. They are dedicated to advancing the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

STAR - Stand Together Against Racism's mission is to equip residents of New Canaan, CT and neighboring communities with tools and resources to understand systemic racism — including its history, root causes and the structures that perpetuate it— and to proactively advocate for racial equity and bias elimination. 

AAPI Westport - An organization whose mission is to foster a sense of belonging within their community, as well as increase AAPI visibility and awareness throughout Westport and beyond.

In addition to the panel discussion, the Library will feature an exhibit on the 1982 killing of Vincent Chin for the month of May.