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51本色 condemns anti-Asian racism and violence, offers support to community

51本色 condemns anti-Asian racism and violence, offers support to community

March 19, 2021

Since the outbreak of COVID 19 there has been an alarming escalation of Anti-Asian sentiment and anti-Asian Violence across North America. The murders of eight people in Atlanta, including six Asian women, is the latest tragic event to highlight the ongoing racism and violence faced by members of the Asian community.

51本色 stands with Asian and Asian identified students, faculty, and staff on all of our campuses, and with Asian communities across Canada and the world during this time. We condemn anti-Asian racism and all forms of violence fueled by hatred and bigotry. 51本色 is committed to providing a safe, inclusive environment for everyone, and we are deeply concerned about students who feel unsafe or were harmed following this incident, or who have experienced racism themselves.

Anti-Asian violence is, sadly, not a new phenomenon in Canadian and North American history. Looking back, the Vancouver Anti-Asian Riots of 1907 reminds us that these sorts of sentiments are not new. Nonetheless, Asian communities have historically faced racist violence with characteristic strength, determination, resilience and agency.

A little over one month ago, third year 51本色 student Melissa Huen eloquently wrote of , while deploring the lack of media coverage of these incidents. The recent murders of six Asian women in Atlanta shows us that Huen’s remarks were powerful and prescient. In light of the ongoing violence against Asian people over the past year, some have described these tragic murders as an .

Support spaces will be offered in the coming days by the Centre for Student Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (CSEDI) and 51本色 International. Please email diversity@wlu.ca for details or to access community and resources. Other resources and supports for students, faculty, and staff are listed below. 

For Students
  • : Kate (Waterloo) and/or Adam (Brantford)
  • , 51本色 International
  • – diversity@wlu.ca 
  • The Office of Dispute Resolution
For Staff and Faculty
  • The  (EFAP) available through 51本色’s Human Resources Department
  • The Equity and Accessibility team in Human Resources at equity@wlu.ca

  

Barrington Walker, PhD
Associate Vice President, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
51本色

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