Solidarity with our Asian American and Pacific Islander Communities
(February 2021) Over the past year, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating effect. Its worst health and economic effects have often impacted communities of color the hardest. Alongside the health pandemic, we have also witnessed with pain and concern the violence and racial inequities that continue to plague our society.
The “Stop AAPI Hate” coalition has documented nearly 3,000 acts of hate against Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) people in the U.S. from the outbreak of the pandemic through the end of 2020. Here in the Bay Area we have recently seen brutal attacks against Asian American and Pacific Islander individuals. Vicha Ratanapakdee, an 84-year-old Thai American, was murdered during a morning walk in his San Francisco neighborhood. A week later, a 91-year-old man was violently pushed to the ground in Oakland’s Chinatown, adding to dozens of unprovoked attacks in the area.
We must not stay silent as racism and xenophobia are rampant on our streets and in our neighborhoods. To our Asian American and Pacific Islander Scholars, families, and community members we say in a clear voice: We stand with you. We see you, and we are here to support you. An attack on any member of our diverse community is an attack on all of us.
Together we will continue building equitable pathways to opportunity, and nurturing supportive and empowering spaces for SMART Scholars and families. Below are some ways you can act in support of San Francisco’s Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.
1. Be prepared – Tips from Stop AAPI Hate on what to do if you experience hate and how to safely intervene when you see harassment or a hate crime taking place.
2. Further your learning – Here are some suggested resources:
