We are deeply saddened by the ongoing rise in hate crimes against members of our Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. Discrimination and violence have no place in our community, and our hearts are with the victims and their families of the recent events here in San Francisco, in Oakland, in Atlanta, and across the country.
As an agency, we stand together with the Asian American community against hatred and bigotry in all its forms, and commit to doing more to ensure the safety of all members of our community. Nobody should be discriminated against based on their race, color, religion, or gender, nor should anyone fear for their safety when walking in their neighborhood. As we have witnessed the rise in hateful rhetoric towards Asian Americans throughout the pandemic, we stand in support and compassion for all families who have experienced discrimination and will continue to fight against racism with love, learning, and solidarity.
We also recognize that there is a long history of racism and exclusion against the Asian American community in our country, and that these painful recent events are sadly not new but are part of a systemic and historical pattern of discrimination that is all of our responsibilities to understand and address. We further recognize that acknowledging the violence against one group does not diminish the need to address racism in all its forms, and we condemn discrimination and acts of hatred against Black, Indigenous, and all people of color who have suffered under the long legacy of racial bias and white supremacy in our country. As an agency, we are committed to being a place of learning and to cultivate among our staff and students the importance of interracial solidarity, compassion, and anti-racism. This is a lifelong journey, and one that we commit to taking on together.
We have put together some resources to share for taking action, and for caring for ourselves and our community.
Anti-AAPI Racism and Mental Health Resources for Parents, Students, and Educators: https://www.mghstudentwellness.org/racism?mc_cid=2e9d43a267&mc_eid=6e746adc5f
How to Report a Hate Crime (in 6 languages): https://www.hatecrimebook.com/laoc-booklets?mc_cid=2e9d43a267&mc_eid=6e746adc5f
Report Instances of anti-Asian Violence: https://stopaapihate.org/
Teaching and Talking with Kids About Race: https://www.embracerace.org/resources/teaching-and-talking-to-kids?mc_cid=2e9d43a267&mc_eid=6e746adc5f
Violence Against Asian Americans: How do we support the children? https://www.embracerace.org/resources/violence-against-asian-americans-how-do-we-support-the-children
The history of identity, contributions, and challenges experienced by Asian Americans: https://www.pbs.org/show/asian-americans/
Bystander Training: https://www.ihollaback.org/bystanderintervention/
