NYU Silver SJPC Responds to Anti-Asian Violence
On March 1, 2021, NYU Silver’s Social Justice Praxis Committee issued the following statement and call for action:
Dear NYU Silver Community,
As members of the NYU Silver School of Social Work’s Social Justice Praxis Committee (SJPC), we are saddened and horrified to read about the recent acts of physical violence and harassment against Asian and Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) persons. These racially motivated hate crimes, unfortunately, are not new. We know these and other injustices are products of white supremacy and systemic racism and oppression that are deeply ingrained in our society. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, inflammatory and xenophobic rhetoric has significantly increased the risk of violence and harm to Asian and AAPI individuals, families, communities, and businesses.
These acts of violence, which, as noted above, are the products of hateful rhetoric, deep-seated Anti-Asian racism, and xenophobia, run counter to the values of the social work profession. In holding with the values of our profession, the SJPC unequivocally supports all Asian and AAPI students, faculty, and staff within our community, and together, we must take a strong anti-racist stance against all identity-based violence and oppression. We must imagine a world where we feel safe and free from white supremacy and other systems of oppression. We must push past the comfort of silence and complacency, especially among white people, and name and contest Anti-Asian violence and discrimination. We must be at the forefront of social justice and change and amplify the continued coalition-building between all marginalized communities.
The mission of the SJPC is to develop and implement strategies and tactics of action to uphold the social justice mission of NYU Silver and the social work profession. We ask the NYU Silver community to join the SJPC in our collective fight for social justice and change by taking some of the steps below.
Please note that this is a select list of resources; it is not exhaustive or comprehensive:
Raise awareness and condemn acts of anti-Asian violence:
Stop AAPI Hate: Report any assaults or harassment that you witness or experience.
Sign and share the following petitions:
Stop COVID-19 Disinformation. Stop Anti-Asian Violence
Get Mainstream News Coverage of National Elderly Asian American Assaults
Provide Safety Ambassadors & Prevent Hate Crimes on Elderly in San Francisco Chinatown
End Hate Crimes Against Asian Americans
Educate yourself and stay informed:
When Xenophobia Spreads Like A Virus
What I Hear When You Say Model Minority
Coronavirus Fears Show How ‘Model Minority’ Asian Americans Become the ‘Yellow Peril’
The Coronavirus and the Long History of Using Diseases to Justify Xenophobia
On Anti-Asian Hate Crimes: Who is Our Real Enemy?
Addressing Anti-Asian Racism: Statements, Scholarly Articles, and Responses
Follow AAPI community leaders, activists, and artists on social media for further education and resources:
Actively show up for Asian Community:
How to Support Asian American Colleagues Amid the Recent Wave of Anti-Asian Violence
Asian People Are Being Targeted By Racist Attacks. Here’s How You Can Be an Ally
Show Up: Your Guide to Bystander Intervention
For Asians and Asian-Americans: engage in intentional self-care and connect with people you trust
Public Service Announcements for AAPI families facing COVID-19 Discrimination
For Asian Americans, Sharing Our Grief is an Act of Revolution
Self-Care Tips for Asian Americans Dealing with Racism Amid Coronavirus
Anti-Asian Racism is Taking a Mental and Emotional Toll on Me
AAPI Heritage Month Spotify Music Playlist
‘Dear Asian Americans’ Podcast
Keep up on recent protests
Organizations and Movements you can support
CAAAV: Builds grassroots power across low-income Asian immigrant and refugee communities in NYC
Mekong NYC: Works with Southeast Asian community in the Bronx and throughout NYC
Asian American Feminist Collective: NYC-based collective engaging in intersectional and transnational feminist politics and providing spaces for identity exploration, political education, community building, and advocacy
Asian American Advancing Justice: Affiliation of five organizations advocating for the civil and human rights of Asian Americans and other underserved communities
Heart of Dinner: Ending hunger and isolation for Asian-American homebound elderly by providing culturally thoughtful meals paired with handwritten notes.
Engage in social justice change at NYU Silver and the larger community
Join an Action Against Racism Work Group
To learn more about the SJPC and to find out how you can be involved, contact Richeleen Dashield and/or Marya Gwadz, Co-Chairs of the SJPC.
Silver Peer Advocates work in consultation with the Director of DEI, Richeleen Dashield, to support the human dignity of those who have been affected by bias, discrimination, and harassment.
Counseling (nyu.edu) is available to Silver students with Dr. Tiffany Llewellyn by contacting the Counseling and Wellness Services at NYU.
We are committed to continuing this important work to address these systemic issues together. To that end, Professor Doris Chang and Associate Director for Inclusive Engagement and Student Life Angie Kim invite our AAPI identifying community members and our allies to join us on Wednesday, March 3, at 7:00PM for processing and collective healing.
Zoom Link
Add this to your Google Calendar
In solidarity,
Members of the Social Justice Praxis Committee
Abigail Levites
Aminda Heckman
Angie Kim
Cherrie Pamela Rose Short CBE
Christine Ferrara
Courtney O'Mealley
Darcey Merritt
Doris F. Chang
Eliza Ella Ohlund
Elizabeth Galimore
Grace C. DeFino
Ernest Gonzales
Haley Needle
Hosanah Bryan
Jayson Vivas
Jennifer Manuel
Kate Sullivan
Kiara Moore
Krystal Folk
Laura Morrison
Mandy Lam
Marya Gwadz
Neil B. Guterman
Nonny Mahachi
Richeleen Dashield
Ronnie J. Greenberg
Sabrina R. Cluesman
Sita Goetschius
Susan Gerbino
Tiffany Llewellyn
Yeqing Yuan
Silver Climate Support Peer Advocates
Suni Shah
Gerri Connaught
The Social Justice Praxis Committee, composed of Silver School faculty, students, and staff, serves as a catalyst for development, implementation, and assessment of a comprehensive strategy and tactics of action to address social justice, equity, and inclusion at the Silver School.