Dear Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é Students, Faculty, and Staff,
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, members of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community have been targeted with verbal and physical attacks across the nation. The violence in Atlanta this week is yet another horrific example of how strongly racism is ingrained in American society.
Make no mistake, all people of color encounter some form of hatred and discrimination in America. And, there’s far too little being done to address the root causes of hatred and to purge intolerance from the acceptable discourse.
The Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é College community stands against all forms of hatred. We are committed to working towards a world where no one has to live in fear because of the color of their skin. Thankfully, other organizations share our vision and have significant resources to combat the recent increase in anti-AAPI sentiment:
- The has established pro bono legal resources to ensure that local communities have legal resources to address the most egregious hate-fueled attacks against the AAPI community.
- In response to the rise in Anti-Asian/American and xenophobic harassment, to offer free bystander intervention training and de-escalation training.
- The offers many resources, including an upcoming virtual town hall and community action guide.
We recognize that this increase in violence takes a toll on mental health and wellness. The mission of the National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association (NAAPIMHA) is to promote the mental health and wellbeing of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. .
Remember that all are welcome at Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é and that hatred and oppression have no place here. We are here to help in any way that we can.
Please continue to take care of yourselves and each other during these challenging times.
Best Regards,
Dr. Valerie Roberson
President, Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é College