Dear Meetup members and organizers,
I am outraged and saddened by the targeted violence against people of Asian descent living in the United States. I want to state unequivocally that Meetup stands in solidarity with the Asian community. We mourn the loss of the eight victims in the Atlanta-area shooting, six of whom were women of Asian descent. These haunting attacks occur all too often, yet each time they shake us to our core.
As a company that values community above all else, we will not sit by when specific communities are the target of hatred and violence. We condemn acts of violence perpetrated against any marginalized group, whether it’s on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, or another identity.
But thoughts and words are not enough. We all must take action. An injustice to one of us is an injustice to all of us. We must work together.
Show up
At Meetup, we believe that an antidote to hate and misinformation is community and education. Check in with the people in your life who may be hurting. Act with compassion towards everyone else—it’s hard to know who is suffering.
Meet people outside your community. Find an event to connect with people who have similar interests, but different backgrounds. Community establishes common bonds across race, religion, ethnicity, gender, and more. It has the power to propel us to have difficult conversations, ask questions, and heal wounds.
Learn
At Meetup, we were inspired to begin a monthly educational event series on Meetup Live, “Dismantling Social Injustice,” to examine our history, ask critical questions, and make strides toward both equity and equality.
Each month, the Dismantling Social Injustice series brings in academics, experts, and organizers to delve into topics like Black history, transgender rights, pay equity, women’s equality, and other pressing issues of our time. I applaud the Meetup staff and members who have taken part in this series as hosts, moderators, and attendees. I have learned so much from these events, and I’m certain the 50,000+ members of Meetup Live have as well.
In this spirit, I ask that you join us on Tuesday, April 20, for a Dismantling Social Injustice event on the topic of anti-Asian sentiment in the United States and what we can do to support the AAPI community.
Continue the work
This important work should not stop once these events fade from the headlines. The stakes are too high. Join organizations that work toward racial justice. Learn about resources for sparking change. Read, listen, attend events, and talk to others. There is much more to do and I look forward to Meetup’s continued commitment to equity.
Meetup has always been a platform to spark human connections. We are proud of our history of providing a safe place for people to build community locally and around the world. Continue the work in your community and take action by starting your own group on Meetup.
We will continue to work toward equality. Please join us on Tuesday, April 20, during Meetup Live to chart the way forward, together.
In community,
David
Meetup CEO
Last modified on March 29, 2021
