Hello Tucson!

This month we all remember the year that has passed, and how far we have all come. Each family has sacrificed a great amount whether it is losing their jobs, missing loved ones, or losing touch with their communities. Despite the tragedy that has overcome the world, this pandemic has also shown us how strong we all are. At the moment, each and every one of us are living through one of the most drastic health and economic crisis to hit the country in at least a century. Last March, none of us could have imagined facing any of this, but each day we continue to make progress. 

Each day, we are vaccinating more people. Each day, we are finding new safe ways to connect with our communities. Each day, we are becoming more caring and understanding. Although a year has come and gone, this virus is far from over. Every person who has stayed home to slow the spread and every essential worker who has worked on to support others should be celebrating their strength and compassion. We have showed great resilience for a year now, so now we must continue to empower each other and to continue our resilience until this virus is no longer a threat. 

The virus is not the only massive and continuing struggle that the country is facing. However, the following struggle mentioned is one that has been built into the foundation of our country and communities continue to fight today. Hate crimes have long threatened minority communities everywhere from religious and spiritual congregations to public spaces. This March, three different spas in Atlanta were faced with mass shootings. Eight people were killed and most of them were Asian-American women. This hate crime has rattled the country and has awakened the sentiment that hate crimes endanger all racial minorities in America.