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I Listened to the Wing Luke Museum Staff Recount a Hate Crime—And It Shook Me to My Core

I can’t stop thinking about the terrifying moment when staff members at Seattle’s Wing Luke Museum faced a hate-fueled attack. When I read their firsthand accounts of a man smashing his way into the museum with a sledgehammer, I felt this deep pit in my stomach—a mix of sadness, anger, and disbelief.

This wasn’t just vandalism. According to the staff, it felt like a targeted assault on the Asian American community. The man, now charged with a hate crime, reportedly shouted racial slurs while causing major damage to exhibits, shattering glass, and destroying irreplaceable cultural artifacts.

I tried to imagine being there that day—hearing the violent crashes, not knowing what might happen next. One staff member said she hid and texted her loved ones, unsure if she’d make it out unharmed. That broke me. Because no one should ever fear for their life while at work—especially in a place built to preserve history and uplift community voices.

What hit me hardest was how the team responded. Even in the face of trauma, they spoke out. They shared their stories with the public, not just to seek justice, but to remind all of us that anti-Asian hate hasn’t gone away—it’s still very real.

I’m writing this because staying silent isn’t an option anymore. We need to listen to these voices, amplify their stories, and stand up when hate comes crashing through the door—literally. As someone who believes in cultural spaces, inclusion, and empathy, I know the fight isn’t over.

So if you’re reading this, I ask: How can we show up better? Because the Wing Luke Museum team did everything right. And they deserve our support—not just in words, but in action.