Dear Campus Community:
For the past year, we have borne witness to increased incidents of racism and harassment toward Asians, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in this country. A report released this week from the organization Stop AAPI Hate revealed that nearly 3,800 hate and harassment incidents against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders were reported to them in the last 11 months, and women made up the highest share of the reports, at 68 percent. While these types of incidents are—sadly—not a new phenomenon in our society, racist rhetoric being used around the pandemic has exacerbated these attacks. Frequent news reports of individuals being assaulted and the recent murders of eight people—including six Asian women—in Atlanta have put a glaring spotlight on these issues and they demand our attention.
We stand with our Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander students, faculty, staff and alumni to oppose hate, discrimination and intolerance. We are an intercultural community, and we urge each person to show compassion and care toward those communities who are feeling vulnerable. Please check in with your peers and colleagues, stand with them and offer your support.
If you or someone you know has experienced or witnessed hate or bias incidents, please note the places to report and additional resources below:
- Reporting Harassment and Assault
- Bias Data Gathering System
- Kalamazoo College Counseling Center
- International Student Mental Wellness Resources
Saludos,
Jorge G. Gonzalez
President