The United States has been experiencing an increase in acts of violence against the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. The world has witnessed firsthand the horrible attacks on the elderly from the east coast to the beatings of AAPI community members on the west coast and the horrific display of hate that took the lives of eight people in Atlanta, Georgia. Despite the [national] awareness of AAPI violence, the attacks and harassment continue. The United States Muaythai Federation does not condone any form of violence, discrimination, racism, and hate towards any community, including the AAPI, LGBTQ, and other racial and ethnic communities that make up the United States.
Muaythai (Thai boxing) is a martial art that was developed in Thailand as the primary and most effective method of self-defense used by Thai warriors in ancient times. A sport of honor, technique, discipline, and tradition that has been passed down from [or whose lineage can be traced back to] respected teachers and influential athletes from Thailand. The United States Muaythai community was built from the knowledge of the first generation of Thai immigrants in the late 1980s.
Following their dreams, foreigners from all over the world move to Thailand to learn about culture, ethics, and sportsmanship from the motherland of Muaythai. It is this martial art from Asia that fuels our community. Fashion brands, gear manufacturers, podcasters, photographers, artists, promoters, gyms, and sanctioning bodies all profit from this Asian sport. It is time that we stand up and help this community of AAPI as well as other communities that have been affected by violence, racism, and hate.
The USMF will always celebrate our athletes and community regardless of race, religion, sexual identity, or political affiliation. We will not stand for or tolerate hate, violence, racism and discrimination and call on all of those that love the sport of Muaythai and that love this country, to join in condemning all racism and discrimination and work to help put an end to it in our communities.