The Building for Kids Children’s Museum joins many throughout our community in acknowledging and validating the experiences that local Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community members have faced in recent months. We are concerned by the impact that the delay to consider Resolution #6-R-21 condemning xenophobia, racism, and anti-Asian violence has had on amplifying feelings of concern, insecurity, and fear among the AAPI community.

We do not believe any debate should be necessary to, as the resolution seeks, condemn all acts of violence, racism, xenophobia, sexism, gender-based violence, discrimination, anti-Asian bias, scapegoating, and ethnic or religious intolerance. The existence of these behaviors in Appleton stand clearly in the way of us realizing our organization’s vision of an energized community that is thriving, welcoming, and connected.

The Building for Kids is a safe place for kids and grown-ups of all backgrounds to learn and play together. Children look to adults as examples and to understand the types of behavior that are acceptable and how to respond to the choices of others.  

As we seek to live and impart our core value of inclusion, the BFK encourages all parents to engage in age-appropriate conversations and explore resources to help children understand the impacts of racism in our community and all of our responsibility to ensure everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

To get you started, our friends at PBS have some resources available here: https://www.pbs.org/parents/talking-about-racism