Dear campus community,
We write today to share our grief for the loss of the eight people murdered Tuesday in Atlanta. While we do not yet know all of the details, some reports indicate that people were targeted for violence based on their perceived race and gender. Six of those killed were of Asian descent and seven were women. The loss of life is compounded by what underlies it — hate, anti-Asian discrimination, misogyny, and white supremacy. We must condemn this violence and the hate that motivates it unequivocally and with one voice.
This tragedy highlights an escalating pattern of anti-Asian hate crimes that we have seen in our region and country over the past year. Anti-Asian hate crimes have increased by 149 percent in 2020, according to the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism’s survey of police departments in 16 major U.S. cities. Throughout the pandemic we have also seen an increase in violence against women worldwide.
Facing a global pandemic together has shown us how inextricably connected our community is at every level. Many, however, have used the pandemic as one more vehicle for fomenting racist, sexist, anti-Asian sentiment and as a cover for enacting violence against people based on their racial and ethnic backgrounds. There is never justification for such violence and there is no truth to any account that blames a particular group or country for COVID-19 or any of its variants. We urge you to speak up and voice the truth if you hear these racist claims.
To report incidents of harassment or discrimination or to request supportive measures in education or employment, contact Equity & Equal Protection, where you can file a report using an online form. To report incidents of hate or bias you can also use the Hate/Bias Report Form.
Please know that the campus community is here to support you. In addition to support services offered by staff in our colleges and resource centers, Counseling and Psychological Services provides assistance for students. For employees, the Employee Assistance Program can provide counseling and support.
Sincerely,
Cindy and Lori
