The last few years have presented a lot of challenges for the Asian American community with increased racism during the pandemic and targeted violence against Asian Americans.
On Tuesday, a part of the AAPI community showed their appreciation to those who have helped guide them through it all.
The Greater Dallas Korean American Chamber of Commerce hosted an appreciation luncheon for Dallas police at Sura Korean Restaurant in the heart of Dallas’ Koreatown on Royal Lane. The group also awarded scholarships to several high school graduates of Dallas police employees.
“As a community, we cannot simply meet in moments of crisis. This is an example of us meeting together and breaking bread,” said Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia.
Since 2020, the pandemic brought a rise in racist attacks against Asian Americans across Texas and beyond.
Last year, a man was indicted on a hate crime charge after a shooting spree that targeted Asian-owned businesses in Dallas, injuring three Korean women in a shooting attack at a hair salon in Koreatown.
The Allen mass shooting brought more fear when a Korean-American family was killed – only their 6-year-old survived. A memorial ceremony was held at the GDKACC to honor the slain parents and their 3-year-old.
Throughout everything, the community says their bond with local police has been made stronger. Tuesday’s event signified that.
“Our lives would have been more shattered and our society would have suffered a greater impact from those heinous crimes, if not for our brave law enforcement officers,” said M.J. Kim of the Dallas consulate office for the Republic of Korea.
Senior Corporal David Kim is one of 124 Asian American officers and staff on DPD’s force. He says that representation and fostering relationships with the community are important.
“It’s hard to teach culture unless you grow up in it, and speaking the same language does help. It opens up to the community much…
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