I am heartbroken.

As a person of Asian descent, I am shaken by the increase in violence suffered by those living in America who look like me.

We must remember, Asian Americans are Americans too.

America has been called the Great Melting Pot, and when it comes to melding the heartiest of humanity from every corner of the globe, it most surely is. We are a nation of immigrants, welcoming all who wish the freedom of our shores and desire to join our incredible society. And for proof, look no further than a certain, 305 ft. tall lady beckoning the tired, the poor, the huddled masses yearning to breathe free to come, join us, be our brothers and sisters in this most welcoming of nations. 

This is us. And this is also what makes the recent and senseless violence against our friends, relatives, and neighbors of Asian descent so tragic, and so breathtakingly sad. It flies in the face of who we are and who we have striven to be for 245 years. 

Yet, we continue to struggle to fully embrace those who look differently, speak differently, live differently than ourselves. As a country, we have progressed, but in times like these, we also see where we have fallen woefully sehort.

In the last year, violence against Asian Americans has drastically increased—a trend that is horrid and absolutely unacceptable. But what is truly tragic is turning on the news to learn that eight of our fellow Americans—six of Asian descent—were taken from us.

It must stop. And stopping it starts with us.

My youngest child is still at an age where he can live life blissfully unaware of these events. I had hoped in the years to come that I would not have to sit down with him to discuss how to navigate racism and bigotry in the life he has ahead of him. I prayed that I wouldn’t have to explain that he and others like him may be targeted and vilified for nothing more than the color of their skin. Recent events prove we still have a long way to go.

When I co-founded Eargo, our mission was to create a company whose focus was to help bring people together, to help people communicate, to create an environment of inclusion, to fight the isolation people with hearing loss often experience.

Emphasis on “people.” All people. Not just Whites. Not just Blacks. Not just Asians. Not just Native Americans. Not just folks who look like us, but everyone.

This sentiment is also echoed in our Eargo family. Eargo is truly an example of the beautiful rainbow of humanity, including our valued and beloved Asian brothers and sisters. It’s this diversity that makes our company better every single day. Eargo would not be Eargo without them—without us—together.

And isn’t that what defines us as a society—togetherness? No man or woman, regardless of skin color, is an island. We’re all in this life together. And if you need evidence of human nature’s aversion to seclusion, just look back at the last 12 months.

So, let’s come together. Let’s not go down the lonely road of hate. Let’s embrace one another. Let’s enjoy what makes us similar while celebrating our differences. Let’s listen so that we may truly hear.

Sound good to you?