Dear Colleagues-Friends,
The rise of crimes against Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, and particularly the latest shootings in Atlanta yesterday, is of grave concern. Over the past few months, we have heard from various colleagues in our School of Medicine about how they are concerned for their own and their family’s safety.
We feel for those in our AAPI community and for the pain of racism experienced yet again in the wake of yesterday’s homicides in Atlanta, and we stand in solidarity and support of our colleagues.
We must acknowledge and address the underlying prejudices and stereotypes, particularly those that have stemmed against the AAPI community related to the origins and spread of the pandemic, and the discrimination and violence that has been perpetrated as a result. To that end, we will be addressing this in more specific terms through our School of Medicine Inclusion Council and have plans in development to hold a school-wide forum on this important topic.
As leaders in our community, we need to eradicate discrimination and racism and celebrate and embrace each culture in our community to make our diversity a true strength. This is our responsibility and our commitment.
Respectfully,
