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Statement of Support & Solidarity with the Asian-American Community

Morningside Center

Morningside Center extends our grave concern and deep support to the Asian-American community at this painful, terror-inducing time. 

Morningside Center extends our grave concern and deep support to the Asian American community at this painful, terror-inducing time. We reject all forms of racism and sexism, and all manifestations of white supremacist ideology. We grieve the brutal murder of eight people in Atlanta on March 16, including six Asian women. 

We stand together with our AAPI colleagues, and in solidarity with the Asian American community, in combating the hatred and violence directed at the community, which has escalated during the Covid era. The fight to end this racism and bias – and to foster awareness and justice – must be ongoing.

In her statement, Stephanie Cho, executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta, put these events into context: 

"While the details of the shootings are still emerging, the broader context cannot be ignored. The shootings happened under the trauma of increasing violence against Asian Americans nationwide, fueled by white supremacy and systemic racism. While anti-Asian violence is woven throughout our nation’s history, the Trump administration’s relentless scapegoating of Asians for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has increased the incidences of hate and violence against Asian Americans around the country. According to the most recent data, hate incidents targeting Asian Americans rose by nearly 150% in 2020, with Asian American women twice as likely to be targeted. Stop AAPI Hate received 3,800 reports of anti-Asian hate since March 2020 to February 2021, with 35% of discriminatory acts happening at businesses and with women reporting hate incidents twice as men."

We encourage teachers to provide space and time for students to share their thoughts and feelings about the events in Atlanta in a supportive and caring environment. Here are some approaches that you may find useful.

Also see this helpful resource collection on anti-Asian violence, including teaching ideas.

We urge support for organizations that are fighting anti-Asian hate and violence, including: