To the Silver Community,
I am deeply saddened to be writing to you in the wake of yesterday’s deadly shootings at spas in and around Atlanta, in which six women of Asian descent were among eight people killed. It is horrifying to see ongoing and lethal violence against Asian American Pacific Islanders, and to witness growing xenophobia and increasing anti-Asian hate in our communities. My solidarity and empathy are with all members of our Asian American Pacific Islander communities at this painful time.
As our Social Justice Praxis Committee
recently stated, these growing acts of violence and discrimination and the deep-seated Anti-Asian racism and xenophobia that fuel them are an affront to us all and to our social work profession. As NYU Silver Associate Professor Doris Chang noted in a recent
Newsday story on the fear that many Asians have reported following recent attacks, “It’s the sum total of our experiences of this kind of harm that has a psychological, compounding effect.” As social workers, we must confront both the sources of such hatred as well as give support for its damaging consequences.
While many members of our community are on break this week, and we are all preparing for the closing weeks of the academic year, I encourage those of you who are affected to seek support in our community and to care for yourself and others around you.
I just learned that
TODAY, March 17 at 4:00pm ET, NYU is holding a vigil for the Atlanta shooting victims and victims of anti-Asian hate. At 4:30pm, there will be a processing space open to participants. Join via Zoom at https://nyu.zoom.us/j/93433172619.
Faculty and staff may access the services available through
NYU Employee Assistance Program through Optum, including 24/7 support at 800-980-8740. Should you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out to Evelyn Kleinbardt in Administrative Services.
I want to encourage us all to consider ways that we can confront hatred and bias against AAPI community members, and to offer support and strength to one another at this difficult time.
Sincerely,