Statement on Anti-Asian Violence

Dear Michigan Social Work community -

In the past few days, we have been horrified to read about racially motivated hate crimes involving physical violence and harassment, targeting elderly Asian Americans. These are not isolated events, since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, inflammatory and xenophobic rhetoric, harassmant and violence against Asian American and Pacific Islander persons, families and communities have increased. These acts damage our society and counter the values of social work practice.

Advancing racial equity and economic inclusion for people of all races and ethnicities is critical to guaranteeing the safety and security of everyone. We will work to activate every member of our community to take a stand against the structures that perpetuate and fuel discrimination and assaults on Asian American and Pacific Islander persons.

Well-Being Resources

• The School of Social Work Office of Student Services staff is available to link students to needed resources. Students are also encouraged to reach out to advisors if they face challenges.
• The Winter Semester page has a list of resources to support well-being during this trying time.

Report a Hate Crime

• University of Michigan
  Call 911 or U-M Department of Public Safety and Security at (734) 763-1131 immediately. You do not need to be a citizen to report a crime and DPSS will not ask about your immigration status.
• State of Michigan
  If individuals experience incidences of hate, violence or discrimination they can and should report it to their local police department, and contact the Attorney General's office:
  [email protected] or 313-456-0200
• The Asian Pacific Policy Planning Council
  Report incidences of discrimination

Resource Guide on Anti-Asian Sentiment

Resources including a toolkit, bystander training and information from U-M.

• In 2020, the U-M Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion created an Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) Task Force in reaction to the increased rate of anti-Asian violence, hate, and overt discrimination APID/A communities were experiencing. 
• On Anti-Asian Hate Crimes: Who Is Our Real Enemy?
• Statement on Anti-Asian Violence from the Anti-Racism Working Group as part of the U-M APID/A Staff Association
• Spectrum Center Stands in Solidarity with Our Black and Asian Communities
• What You Can Do About Anti-Asian Violence
  A new surge of anti-Asian attacks comes nearly a year after COVID spawned increased vitriol toward people of Asian descent across the country
• Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC)
  Hate Crimes Tool Kit and Messaging Guidance on China
• Bystander Intervention to Stop Anti-Asian/American Harassment and Xenophobia Workshop
  The one-hour, interactive training will teach you Hollaback!’s 5D’s of bystander intervention methodology. 
  February 17, 5 PM ET Register 
  March 15, 6 PM ET Register 
• Michigan Asian Pacific American Affairs (MAPAAC) Commission. Go here to learn more about state-level Asain American work and affairs. 
• Sign up to receive updates from the Executive Office of the Governor, including resources on how hate is affecting various communities.

Attend a Town Hall

To gain support and discuss how this issue is affecting you and our community, join the School of Social Work Asian Pacific Islanders Social Work Coalition’s town hall. All are welcome.
February 18, 7-8 PM
RSVP

Hate against some of us harms all of us. We encourage our community — students, staff, alumni and faculty — to acknowledge, amplify, and denounce the ongoing anti-Asian hate crimes. This is our commitment as social workers.

In Solidarity,
Lynn Videka, Dean
Larry Gant, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Program Director
Ayesha Ghazi Edwin, Lecturer and ENGAGE Program Manager, Chair of the Michigan Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission (MAPAAC)
Lorraine Gutiérrez, Associate Dean for Educational Programs
Joseph Himle, Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs
Trina Shanks, Director, School of Social Work Community Engagement