Posted March 29, 2021
Over the past year, reports of violence against members of the Asian American, Asian, and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community have become more frequent. But this national spotlight only illuminates the recurring discrimination that the AAPI community has faced long before now.
We are saddened by the persistent attacks to this community – from the mass violence witnessed in the March 16 Atlanta shootings to the shunning, harassment and outright assault AAPI individuals have endured throughout the pandemic. We mourn with them during this time of grief and fear.
The Valenti School of Communication strongly condemns this violence, which speaks to the intersectional oppression this community faces regularly. We stand in solidarity with our AAPI students, faculty, staff and alumni and their right to safety and respect – both online and offline.
Xenophobic, racist, and misogynistic rhetoric and acts are unwelcome at our school. We are proud to call the University of Houston – one of the most diverse universities in the nation – home. The success of our school and campus is inextricably tied to the contributions of our diverse faculty, staff and students, including those of Asian heritage.
We will continue to invest in creating the social and racial equity we wish to see. Our faculty is conducting research on community health and immigration issues in the Asian American and Asian communities. We have developed courses and events that center on social justice issues. In the past year alone, our faculty have secured multiple funded research projects to understand and eliminate racism and have invested in student campaigns that address these issues through communication.
Now is the time for unity, not divisive rhetoric. We must recognize the AAPI community’s unique contributions, not further perpetuate harmful stereotypes. Most importantly, now is the time to speak out against all forms of discrimination and not turn a blind eye to hateful words or acts of injustice.
Our Anti-Racism and Discrimination Committee – a new standing committee featuring Valenti students, faculty and staff – is developing programs and strategies for how our school can continue to model anti-racism and inclusivity and provide an even stronger curriculum for anti-racism within communication contexts.
Finally, we encourage everyone to reflect on ways they can personally advocate for the AAPI community. For example, University of Houston Libraries has compiled a helpful list for those who want to take further action on a personal level. Please review these resources and more if you are beginning your allyship journey.
We are saddened by the persistent attacks to this community – from the mass violence witnessed in the March 16 Atlanta shootings to the shunning, harassment and outright assault AAPI individuals have endured throughout the pandemic. We mourn with them during this time of grief and fear.
The Valenti School of Communication strongly condemns this violence, which speaks to the intersectional oppression this community faces regularly. We stand in solidarity with our AAPI students, faculty, staff and alumni and their right to safety and respect – both online and offline.
Xenophobic, racist, and misogynistic rhetoric and acts are unwelcome at our school. We are proud to call the University of Houston – one of the most diverse universities in the nation – home. The success of our school and campus is inextricably tied to the contributions of our diverse faculty, staff and students, including those of Asian heritage.
We will continue to invest in creating the social and racial equity we wish to see. Our faculty is conducting research on community health and immigration issues in the Asian American and Asian communities. We have developed courses and events that center on social justice issues. In the past year alone, our faculty have secured multiple funded research projects to understand and eliminate racism and have invested in student campaigns that address these issues through communication.
Now is the time for unity, not divisive rhetoric. We must recognize the AAPI community’s unique contributions, not further perpetuate harmful stereotypes. Most importantly, now is the time to speak out against all forms of discrimination and not turn a blind eye to hateful words or acts of injustice.
Our Anti-Racism and Discrimination Committee – a new standing committee featuring Valenti students, faculty and staff – is developing programs and strategies for how our school can continue to model anti-racism and inclusivity and provide an even stronger curriculum for anti-racism within communication contexts.
Finally, we encourage everyone to reflect on ways they can personally advocate for the AAPI community. For example, University of Houston Libraries has compiled a helpful list for those who want to take further action on a personal level. Please review these resources and more if you are beginning your allyship journey.