March 17, 2021
Dear CAS Students, Faculty and Staff,
The College of Arts and Sciences and the Asian Studies Program are saddened and appalled to learn of the horrific shootings in the Atlanta area yesterday. The shootings apparently targeted women of Asian descent. As Anti-Asian racist violence, hate crimes, and vandalism continue to occur across the country, in the nearby International District, and elsewhere in Seattle, we write to condemn in the strongest terms possible these acts and affirm our stand in solidarity with our Asian, Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community members. We reaffirm the Seattle University statement against anti-Asian xenophobia and racism attached here, as well as an earlier statement by our Social Work Department, and declare our solidarity with our AAPI community members, with our neighbors in the International District and beyond. Anti-Asian racism and xenophobic violence have a long history in the United States and are problems that stem from colonialism and white supremacy. Seattle University AAPI students, faculty, staff and their families have directly experienced increasing racist incidents recently. Between March 19, 2020 (when Stop AAPI Hate began collecting reports) and February 28, 2021, Stop AAPI Hate received over 3,795 firsthand accounts of anti-Asian hate incident nationwide. We are pained by your sufferings and would like to do our part to help.
The College of Arts & Sciences is committed to the work of equity and justice that needs to be done against racism and xenophobia in our culture and our community. We encourage everyone who is interested to review the resources mentioned in the university email as we work together to support each other. Let us be especially supportive at this time of Asian and AAPI women in our community, who are in shock and pain.
While working against racism we also recognize and celebrate our AAPI community members. May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. We deeply value the presence and contributions of local, national, and international students of Asian origin as members of the SU and College community.
Colleges of Arts and Sciences
and
Asian Studies Program