The following letter was emailed to the TADA community on Friday, March 19, 2021 in response to the rise in racism and violence against the AAPI communities.
Many of you know about the rise in crimes against Asian Americans in recent weeks and months. On Tuesday night, eight people were shot to death at three massage parlors in the Atlanta area. Six of those killed were Asian women, suggesting that this was another attack on the Asian community.
Stop AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) Hate reports that there have been nearly 3,800 instances of discrimination against Asians in the past year (the actual number could be much higher)—an increase of 800+% since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. What is more enraging and saddening is that the majority of these violent acts are against AAPI elders and women.
Sadly, anti-Asian racism takes on many forms and is not a new phenomenon. Racism against Asian Americans has always been embedded in U.S. history, resulting in exclusion and internment. AAPI stereotyping is prominent in mainstream media and contemporary Hollywood. The latest surge in anti-Asian hate is a manifestation of this institutionalized racism. Asian women in particular have historically been fetishized, sexualized, silenced and marginalized.
We know that many of you are feeling frustration and fear in light of these attacks, and we wish to extend our support and solidarity to all those impacted. Hate has no place here at TADA. We want to unequivocally reinforce our position on racial justice for all and will continue to reiterate this stance. We are committed to protect, give voice, lend support and stand firm with the affected communities. We call upon Tuck to elevate its commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, to foster an environment that values differences, encourages empathy towards the ideas and experiences of others, and educates leaders to successfully navigate the workforce of tomorrow while operating across different cultures, economies, and markets.
Asian American communities need more than solidarity. It is time for action and solutions. Together, we stand with allies and partners in the fight against misogyny, xenophobia, and racism.
In unity,
Your TADA Leadership Team