Condemning Violence Against Asians and Asian Americans

A Message from Sargent College Dean Chris Moore

This past week, even as we continue to make incremental gains in the fight against an insidious and devious virus, we find ourselves in collective mourning after yet another mass shooting. We condemn the violent attacks in Atlanta, the resurgent anti-Asian bigotry we’re experiencing nationally and internationally, and the hatred that fuels such abhorrent acts. And we recommit our individual and collective voices to denouncing violence and prejudice in all its forms, prioritizing safety and health as a human right, inclusion as a basic tenet, and “justice for all” as more than just a too-familiar phrase in our pledge.

The alarming rise in aggression against our friends and colleagues in the Asian communities is especially distressing; even with its deep historic roots, the renewed and emboldened surfacing of xenophobic bigotry is shocking. These behaviors require our loud, categorical, and explicit rejection. All of us at Sargent and at BU stand in common purpose with all members of the Asian and Asian American/Pacific Islander communities, here at BU and around the world, to condemn the violence expressed against them. Just as we decry and unequivocally reject gender-based violence, racism, and bigotry in all its detestable forms, we call for these harms to end. Our vision at Sargent and across the University remains clear as we fight for a diverse, equitable, and just society. Indeed our Diversity & Inclusion mission statement commits each of us to these ideals. We pledge to create:

“…a diverse and inclusive culture that supports equity, acceptance, and respect for the differences in others. We believe that diversity and inclusion will bolster academic excellence, propagate impactful research, and enhance practice to best serve the health care needs of society.”

 What can we do right now? Most importantly, I ask everyone to be especially attuned to the struggles that our students, faculty, and staff may be experiencing. Effective University resources include:

• Faculty & Staff Assistance Office
• Student Health Services and Behavioral Medicine
• Marsh Chapel

These can be difficult days, but I have seen over and over again that we will be supported by our mutual care and respect for each other. We continue to press forward, expressing our ideals for health in a more just, equitable, and inclusive society.