Thinking & AdvocacyThe team at Achieving the Dream stands in solidarity with the Asian American Pacific Islander community across America. We send our support and condolences to the families and friends of those affected by the horrific acts of violence in Atlanta on Tuesday.
Dr. Pam Eddinger, president of Bunker Hill Community College and a member of the Achieving the Dream Board of Directors, shared a message with the Bunker Hill Community College trustees, foundation board, and college community. We are sharing her statement here, with permission. Her strong message includes informational and training resources.
Statement from President Pam Eddinger to the Bunker Hill Community College Community
The shooting in Atlanta yesterday that resulted in the death of six Asians, and the rise in attacks on the AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) Community across the nation have left many of us feeling outraged, disheartened, and fearful. In mainstream press and social media, we hear reports of targeted acts of verbal and physical violence. From our own students, we hear about experiences of aggression on and off-campus that have made them feel unsafe. With the recent attacks on elders in the Asian communities, in which respect for family and older generations is especially important, the physical and psychological insult is severely felt.
We must, as a community, bear witness to these acts of aggression and acknowledge the feelings of anger, sadness, and anxiety, and turn them into strength. In these times of global pandemic and political strife, the massive increase in violence against AAPIs around the country, coupled with the continuing police and cultural violence against Black and brown people, further emphasize the need for solidarity amongst everyone.
The violence today against AAPI communities is not new. We see this long history of AAPI xenophobia from the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1886, the Japanese internment camps of WWII, the killing of Vincent Chin in 1982, to the present-day attacks over COVID. We have overcome these personal and community attacks, and we will do so again. We must lock arms across our AAPI and BIPOC communities, and become indomitable in the face of exclusion. We must respond to hate with love. We must strive to hear the voices of what Lincoln called, “the better angels of our nature.”
As we stand in solidarity with our AAPI community, I hope the information and resources below will be helpful to you. Consultations on campus are available via Human Resources, the Office of Equity and Compliance, and the Dean of Students Team. Available free training is also listed below.
- Stop AAPI Hate: Together We Can Stop It
- Asian American Commission Community Action Guide: Responding to AAPI Hate Incidents (PDF)
- National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association (NAAPIMHA): NAAPIMHA’s mission is to promote the mental health and well-being of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.
- Anti-Defamation League (ADL): Student Tool Kit: Responding to Hate
- The National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA) provides resources, assistance and support for victims harmed by crime and crisis. Call 1-800-TRY-NOVA (879-6682).
- The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a free, confidential, 24/7 support for people in distress, as well as provides crisis resources and best practices for professionals. Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
- South Asian Network (SAN) offers free and low-cost individual, group, and family counseling. They will also provide referrals to other mental health professionals.