'Enough is Enough': Emily in Paris star Ashley Park speaks out on violence against the Asian community

Korean-American actress Ashley Park has shared a message about anti-Asian hate crimes, saying that 'enough is enough.'

Her moving Instagram post comes at a time when the world is reeling from the latest attacks on three Atlanta spas that left eight people dead. It is all the more poignant given the estimated 3,800 anti-Asian crimes committed each year. 

With anger mounting against these racist attacks that have left many Asian-Americans living in fear, Park, who is best known for her role as Mindy Chen in Emily in Paris, posted a tearful video. 

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Her post said, "3 deadly shootings targeting Asian Women in Atlanta yesterday. I couldn't sleep. Some of these 5am ramblings are very personal, but I decided to share because ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. I hope this helps someone feel not so alone in all this muck. Allies, thank you and please watch til end, this is societal programming that we can change."

The Tony-nominated Broadway star went on to say, "I'm always wondering why? Like how did it come to this? Why is there that hate? These things happen when people have rage and entitlement, and when they prey on the weak." 

"I really don't want to cry right now, because I do not want to perpetuate the idea that Asian women are weak, because we're not," she said, before clarifying, "You know what? No. I can cry if I want because emotions are just as strong."

She continued, "I have a lot of hope for this younger generation. I guess that's what every generation thinks, right? That they are making a better world for the younger generation. I guess that's the whole point. So, I do hope that this younger generation lives in a world where they don't have to deal with this, or they at least have the tools and allies to deal with it better than I am dealing with it now."

Ashley also explained how 'devalued' she felt when her race is the first thing people ask about or comment on. 

"This racism starts at a very small level. It starts with things that you say. It starts when someone calls a virus that shut down the whole world the 'Kung Flu virus.' It also starts when you roll your eyes or make fun of Asian waiters or Chinese food delivery people and the nail artist. I'm guilty of that, too," she continued. 

"The amount of times I've been asked where I'm from before what my name is...you don't understand what undervaluing that does. Starting with children when every Asian should be able to be good at math and play a classical instrument and not be bullied and shunned and told you are only good at that because you are Asian. That makes literally no sense."

"It starts with the stupid little jokes," she added. "Even with your close friend, it starts with saying, 'Oh this is a good time for you to be in that industry because ethnic is really in right now.'"

Ashley concluded the emotional video by calling on viewers to stop hate.

"I could go on and on and on and this is not about that," she said. "It's just this 21-year-old with a gun last night, he came from somewhere and at some point someone could have told him what he was feeling and thinking, and that hate was wrong. It starts at a really small level and I think we can do it."