Statement of Solidarity from BUSSW Asian American Faculty

Asian American faculty members at BUSSW release a Statement of Solidarity for the Black Lives Matter movement

We, as Asian American scholars at Boston University School of Social Work, are outraged by and share enormous pain and sorrow in the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and a countless number of Black people whose precious lives were ended due to police brutality and acts motivated by racist ideas and violence. We unequivocally condemn hatred and violence, and anti-black structural racism embedded in every system and institution. The ever-increasing inequalities resulting from structural racism affect every aspect of Black individuals’ lives and have made them feel that they ‘can’t breathe.’ Black lives are not valued in U.S. society. We unequivocally state that Black lives matter. We unite in solidarity with Black communities and the Black Lives Matter movement in calling for action and change. 

As Asian Americans, we must acknowledge the “model minority myth”, promoted by white supremacy, that has deeply divided minority groups against each other. We must acknowledge the history of the anti-blackness in the Asian community that created interracial tension between Asian American and Black and Latinx American communities. We must acknowledge the history of structural racism and political tactics that have divided all minority groups against each other to serve and maintain the status quo of White Americans. We are calling for all to work with the Black communities to fight for social, economic, and political justice and dismantle structural racism. We strongly support and unite behind the idea of Dr. Ibram X. Kendi: simply “not being a racist” is not enough to dismantle systemic racism. 

Racism is like the Coronavirus: odorless, invisible, contagious, and deadly. We need antibodies against this virus – anti-racism actions, policies, and practices. We must do and act at this moment. Thus, we call on Asian American scholars to: 

• Engage in a persistent self-awareness, self-reflection, and self-criticism of ourselves regarding our own biases and negative stereotypes against Black communities. 
• Condemn racist ideas and behaviors and actively engage in anti-racism dialogue and movements. 
• Advocate for societal policies and practices that will help dismantle systemic racism by calling local, state, and federal legislators and policymakers.
• Integrate anti-racism approaches into your teaching/research and conversation.
  
• Speak out when witnessing/learning racism against Black faculty, staff, and students
• Call for action to address structural racism within the academy. 
  

Show your support by adding your name to this Google Form as an Asian/Asian American or as an ally. (Scroll down for the signature line and please indicate the name of your institution.)

Signed in solidarity:

Hyeouk Chris Hahm, Yoonsook Ha, Christina Lee
Faculty of Boston University, School of Social Work