Like you, I was horrified by Wednesday's murders of eight individuals, including six Asian American women, in Atlanta. Sadly, research from the coalition Stop Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Hate shows a clear rise in cases of violence and discrimination against Asian American groups during the pandemic. The crisis has attracted the attention of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, which will hold hearings today into these acts of hatred. NOVA is a federally recognized Asian American Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI), and this violence is impacting our students, colleagues, friends and neighbors. NOVA condemns all acts of violence, discrimination, racism and intolerance, and we stand with the Asian American Pacific Islander community.

My message today is plain. We cannot leave the work of addressing racism and bias to others: this work is ours.

Resources:

NOVA’s Office of Wellness and Mental Health

Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism’s Research on AAPI Surge in Hate Crimes

Guide to Responding to COVID-19 Related Racism – Learning for Justice Organization

National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association

Stop AAPI Hate

National Asian and Pacific Islander Bar Association Hate Crimes Taskforce and Pro Bono Legal Resources

Asian Americans Advancing Justice

Bystander Initiative, which provides free training that provides skills for identifying and deescalating instances of anti-Asian American harassment and xenophobia.