The Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University released findings in early March that shares: “Hate crimes against Asian Americans rose 149% from 2019 to 2020, even though hate crimes overall decreased 7% during the pandemic.”

As an organization made up a community of people committed to lifelong learning and personal discovery, our inclination is to put our heads down and do the work. To look inward, discover our unconscious biases, and create change starting from within. 

Over the past several days, we missed a crucial opportunity to condemn the hate crime that killed eight people, six of whom were Asian women in Metro Atlanta, the near daily attacks of elderly Asian Americans in the Bay Area, and the spike in reports of anti-Asian incidents across the country since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, gun violence continues to destroy communities including the tragic shooting last week in our home city of Boulder, CO.

Today we reach out to our dear AAPI community: We condemn the targeted hate, xenophobia, discrimination and acts of violence that have grown rampant during the COVID-19 pandemic and we denounce the history of prejudice and racism against Asian Americans in the United States. It is abhorrent and inexcusable. Please know that we see you and you are an inspiring, valuable, needed part of our community. We are listening, paying attention and committed to do everything in our power to ensure TNE remains a place of intentional inclusivity and anti-racism. 

As we learn how to communicate the care of the people who make up our Faculty, Staff, Board, and broader TNE community, know that we are doing the work to create change that ripples from the inside out into lasting organizational and social change. In this process, we are still learning to find a voice that meaningfully communicates what our hearts are holding with the AAPI community—our friends, our students, our colleagues—our TNE family.

To learn more about how to support the AAPI community and broaden your own awareness of the social issues plaguing our AAPI friends daily in America, please visit: https://stopaapihate.org/