House Judiciary Subcommittee Holds Hearing on Discrimination Against Asian Americans
The House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties held a hearing to address discrimination and violence against Asian Americans. At the start, members took part in a moment of silence for the Atlanta shooting victims in which eight people were killed. Six of the shooting victims were reportedly women of Asian descent. The first panel included testimony from several lawmakers, including Reps. Grace Meng (D-NY), Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Judy Chu (D-CA), along with Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL). Following their testimonials, the subcommittee heard from scholars and advocates, including actor Daniel Dae Kim. Lawmakers asked about the rise in anti-Asian American hate crimes, the impact of racist rhetoric by elected officials and discrimination against the Asian American community during the coronavirus pandemic. This event contains video clips and language some viewers might find offensive.
https://www.c-span.org/video/?509938-1/hou...

The subcommittee chair, Representative Steve Cohen of Tennessee, began the hearing by acknowledging the pain and panic. “I want to make clear that all Asian-Americans who are understandably feeling hurt and afraid right now and wondering whether anyone else in America cares that Congress sees you, we stand with you. We're gonna do everything in our power to protect you.”
Of course, that doesn’t apply to some of the Republicans on the committee, including bigoted Texas congressman Chip Roy. In his opening statement, he conflated the issue of the hearing by proclaiming that the victims of rioting and looting last summer deserve justice. “We believe in justice,” he said. Then he repugnantly added, “There’s an old saying in Texas about ‘find all the rope in Texas and get a tall oak tree.’ You know, we take justice very seriously. And we ought to do that. Round up the bad guys. That’s what we believe.”
Let me highlight this: " “We believe in justice,” he said. Then he repugnantly added, “There’s an old saying in Texas about ‘find all the rope in Texas and get a tall oak tree.’ You know, we take justice very seriously. And we ought to do that. Round up the bad guys. That’s what we believe.”
Now Steve, I sure you know the history of Forbidden Fruit, don't you? That was purely a racist act in this country.
Now, what do you think Texas congressman Chip Roy was talking about when it comes to Asian-Americans?