Racism is a Pandemic. Hate is a Virus.

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Ever since the world learned that the Coronavirus originated in Wuhan, China, incidents of hate against Asians and Pacific Islanders have been steadily on the rise in the US and across the globe. I am both incensed and saddened by the Georgia spa shootings which took the lives of eight individuals and the assault on the 75-year-old grandmother Xiao Zhen Xie.

We have team members at the firm who are scared to go into the City for fear of being attacked. Some are glad they must wear a mask because they’re able to “hide their ethnicity.”

This. Must. Stop.

I stand in support of my Asian colleagues, friends, neighbors, and clients and denounce the violence and acts of hate.

May 25th will mark one year since the death of George Floyd. In response, and documented in an open letter, I promised that I will not be silent or afraid to tackle the topics of Racism and Unconscious Bias!

I will continue to stand up for marginalized communities, including those excluded or targeted due to race, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical ability, language, or immigration status.

I will use my voice and my resources.

I Will:

  • Encourage courageous conversations and educate our team members on how to be advocates.
  • Encourage, support, and promote businesses & nonprofits that bolster Asian American communities.
  • Stand up against violence.
  • Allow team members to work where they feel comfortable.

We shared the link to Asian Americans Advancing Justice that offers free bystander intervention and de-escalation training geared to aiding the Asian and Asian American communities.

What Can You Do?

This is only the beginning; we will continue to demand change and foster a safe environment for our team members and clients.  We hope and encourage you to do so as well.

Take Action:

  • Report incidents of hate against the AAPI Community on the Asian Americans Advancing Justice’s site Stand Against Hatred, or at Stop AAPI Hate.
  • Amplify and share stories of the experiences of the Asian Community.
  • Check in on your AAPI friends and family.
  • Patronize Asian-owned businesses.
  • Speak up when you hear microaggressions. Call out misinformation or jokes that are racist.
  • Call or email your legislators and ask what they are doing for the Asian Community.
  • Donate to a cause that supports the AAPI Community.

“Being racist or antiracist is not about who you are; it is about what you do.”- National Museum of African American History & Culture

Sincerely,

Carla McCall
Managing Partner


About the Author

Carla McCall, CPA, CGMA

Carla is Managing Partner of AAFCPAs, a preeminent, 350-person CPA and consulting firm based in New England. She is also Chair of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Carla was named one of the Most Powerful Women in the Accounting Profession in 2020-2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 by the AICPA and CPA Practice Advisor Magazine. Her dynamic executive leadership, bold practicality, and enthusiasm to embrace change is setting the standard for mission driven, growth …