Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo said in a Wednesday post on Instagram that “now is the time to address the rise in hate crimes against all races over the last few years” in response to Tuesday’s killings of eight people, six of whom were women of Asian descent, at three Atlanta-area massage parlors by a white gunman.
“I am deeply saddened by the events that took place in Atlanta yesterday and although there is no definitive answer yet on what this investigation will bring, I feel now is the time to address the rise in hate crimes against ALL races over the last few years,” wrote Koo, who was born in South Korea.
“As an Asian American, I have heard the jokes and name calling. I often dealt with it by ignoring what was said and minding my own business. I don’t have all the answers, but I realize now more than ever that this is an issue that needs to be addressed and that ignoring it won’t help us do that. I know this one post won’t solve the problem, but I hope to raise awareness on hate crimes against all.”