Violence Against Asian Americans is Violence Against Us All (March 19, 2021)

Dear Colleagues,

I want to express my deepest sympathies to those who are grieving another act of violence which resulted in the death of eight people, in Atlanta this week, seven of whom were women, six were of Asian descent. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, hate-fueled crimes against Asian Americans have risen in cities across our nation. Just this week, Congress ordered hearings on this matter. This pattern should appall all of us. 

The fact remains, aggressions against women or members of minority groups are real and must not be tolerated. Communities that have been marginalized are vulnerable and are often targets of twisted intentions and horrific or even evil acts. These ideologies have no place in our society and are in direct conflict with the ideals that form the bedrock of American society.

We as a community must stand strong against bias and racism and will not tolerate hate in any form. As we marked the one-year anniversary of the campus moving to remote operations this week, the provost and I shared that this is not the time to stop looking out for one another. Our fight for equity and fair treatment is not for any one group; it is for us all. We must redouble our efforts to work together to lift each other up during these difficult times. 

I encourage anyone who needs support to access our university’s resources. Students can find help through CAPS, the university’s counseling and psychological services. Faculty and staff can access these services through the Faculty and Staff Counseling and Consultation Office. If you are experiencing or see something that concerns you, please contact public safety at 313-593-5333.

It is essential that we build supportive relationships and stand together against violence in any form. Compassion and respect for others are foundational values of our university and they will not be compromised.

Domenico Grasso
Chancellor