Supporting Asians and Asian Americans during this Time of Increased Bias
A Statement from ALC Leadership
Last week’s tragic shootings in Atlanta that led to the killing of eight people, including six Asian women, have brought renewed attention to the significant increase in incidents of bias against Asians and Asian Americans over the last many months. Even before the shootings, major news outlets such as the New York Times and Washington Post have reported on this disturbing trend, and some academic organizations have responded with statements, including one from the Association for Asian Studies and one released by the Atlanta-based American Academy of Religion just the day before the shootings.
In the spirit of the Chancellor’s recent call to “Take Care,” the tragic incident in Atlanta can serve as a reminder of how important it is to support each other during these times. We urge us all to be vigilant about bias toward Asians and Asian Americans, to intervene when possible, and to report incidents when they occur. Likewise, if you experience a bias incident, large or small, we encourage you to reach out for support to our broader ALC community, but especially to the ALC leadership. Please remember also the support provided on campus through resources dedicated to the APIDA community. We aspire to create a world where such incidents remain only as memories, but in the meantime, as we work toward such a goal, let us be confident in our individual and collective resilience and our capacity to overcome the forces in our culture that promote hate.
[This statement is based on a message distributed to the ALC community on March 17]