Dear Westminster Community:
The reported shootings of 8 people near Atlanta, Georgia yesterday, many of them women of Asian descent, are a tragic reminder of the disastrous consequences of Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander (AAPI)-related racism, bigotry, and xenophobia. Specifically, AAPI communities have continued to suffer from racial discrimination and ethnic intimidation, including the surge in hate crimes due to stigmas and stereotypes related to misinformation about the COVID-19 global pandemic.
The January 2021 Biden Administration Memorandum Condemning and Combating Racism, Xenophobia, and Intolerance Against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States noted the following:
“The Federal Government must recognize that it has played a role in furthering these xenophobic sentiments through the actions of political leaders, including references to the COVID-19 pandemic by the geographic location of its origin. Such statements have stoked unfounded fears and perpetuated stigma about Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and have contributed to increasing rates of bullying, harassment, and hate crimes against AAPI persons. These actions defied the best practices and guidelines of public health officials and have caused significant harm to AAPI families and communities that must be addressed.”
Ending hate and violence against Asians, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders is only part of the solution. It is equally necessary to create a campus, a community, and a world that welcomes, celebrates, and advocates for every human being to be acknowledged as human and deserving of respect.
Along with the following on-campus options, please browse the following online/reading resources to learn, understand, and identify ways to support Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander communities.
On-Campus Resources
- Campus Ombuds: ombuds@westminsteru.edu
- Bias Education and Response Team (BERT): bias@westminsteru.edu
- Campus Patrol: 801.832.2525
- Interfaith and Spirituality (Shaw Lower Level): 801.832.2232
- Counseling Center (Shaw Lower Level): 801.832.2465
- Equal Opportunity/Title IX Coordinator (Gore 116): Mary Royal (mroyal@westminsteru.edu)
Online/Reading Resources
- Learning for Justice: "Addressing Anti-Asian Bias"
- "Anti-racism resources to support Asian American, Pacific Islander community"
- "7 Ways We Can Help Fight Asian Racism and Xenophobia"
- "How to Address the Surge of Anti-Asian Hate Crimes"
- "Re-imagining safety, belonging, and justice in the wake of anti-Asian violence"