Korean Caucus meets to stop Asian hate
The Korean Caucus of the Baltimore-Washington Conference, whose president is the Rev. Myungha Baek, held a Stop Asian Hate Crime seminar on Oct. 1 at Bethany Korean UMC in Ellicott City. The Rev. Dawn Hand, superintendent of the Central Maryland District, opened the event with a word of prayer: “May we never tire of working for beloved community for all of your people,” she said.
Three guest speakers spoke. The Rev. WonTae Cho, who formed Sanctuary Church Network in New York said, “To stop racism and hate crime, we should learn how to protect ourselves and also take care of our neighbors so that they can experience the healing of God together.”
YoungSoo Choi, an attorney, led a seminar that explained the historical background of racism in the United States. Everyone was deeply motivated by his message, especially when he shared the most difficult challenge facing the immigrants: “They could not go back to their countries even when their parents passed away.”
Another speaker, attorney Andrew Park, talked about the political implications of racism issues in the United States. He talked about the anti-immigration stance of the US government, and the practical approach of how to handle hate crimes when they happen.
More than 50 Korean church leaders joined the main seminar, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and another conversation followed with a Maryland police officer, Cpl. Kyu Lee, the Howard County Police Department's Asian Community Liaison, about how Koreans can protect themselves. The Korean Caucus printed a manual and a resource book about the historical background of racism and distributed them to local churches along with pens and whistles containing the Maryland hotline number
Rev Stacey Cole Wilson concluded with a word of appreciation. “We are extremely grateful for Global Ministries and the support of the BWC to end the hate in all forms, and we appreciate every presenter, the participants, and the Korean Caucus who made this event possible,” she said. "Together we work to end hate, love all people as unto God, and co-create beloved community as empowered and led by God.”