Dean’s Message: Statement on AAPI Violence
Dear BU SHA Community,
As we continue into the new year still working through the pandemic and aftermath of protests dealing with a tumultuous political climate and systemic racism, racist hate crimes continue to rise. This time our AAPI community has been greatly impacted.
This senseless violence—including this week’s Atlanta shootings, which accounted for eight murdered and most of them Asian American women—must stop. Although details are still emerging, several of the victims have been identified: Delaina Ashley Yaun, Paul Andre Michels, Xiaojie Tan, Elcias Hernandez-Ortiz, and Daoyou Feng. We join in mourning their loss, as well as the others whose lives have been affected by racism and racial violence. We stand with our fellow Asian American & Pacific Islander community, partners and colleagues against racism, hatred and violence. We condemn those that partake in any acts of hate, racism and violence.
I encourage everyone in our community to take responsibility for learning how racism impacts BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) individuals. Take time to learn about the anti-AAPI history of our country and the ways those actions carry through to today.
Some resources include:
• https://asianauthoralliance.com/kidlit-against-anti-asian-racism-auction-fundraiser/
• https://www.aacommission.org/resources/anti-asian-hate-resources/
Now is the time to come together and support each other so that we may move forward. This important work begins at home. Please join me and the SHA community in educating ourselves on the harmful impacts of racism and our commitment to creating a more peaceful and inclusive world.
“It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.” – Audre Lorde
Warmest Regards,
Arun Upneja, Ph.D.
Dean and Professor, School of Hospitality Administration