Standing with the APIDA community

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

I write to you to express shock and sadness at the horrific attacks in Atlanta that resulted in the deaths of eight people, including six Asian women. As President Folt wrote clearly and definitively in her memo of March 19th, USC stands with the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) community in condemning these hateful acts, as well as the alarming rise in anti-Asian violence in the U.S. The Academy, too, stands in solidarity with all who have been affected by these tragic events, and denounces all forms of racism, misogyny, bigotry, and xenophobia.

Our community was founded on and is committed to upholding the principles of inclusivity, diversity, and respect for others. We have always sought to create an environment in which all feel welcome, safe, and free to reach their fullest potential. Uniqueness and individualism are among our greatest gifts as human beings, and as a community we will continue to stand firm against any and all threats to the promises inherent in these ideals.

I know many of you may be feeling confused, afraid, angry, and outraged. The Academy is here to support you in any way we can. Should you feel the need to seek help, I also want to encourage you to reach out to the USC resources below:

Students, faculty and staff can report incidents of bias and discrimination via the USC Office for Equity, Equal Opportunity, and Title IX.

You are all in our thoughts,

Erica

 

CC:
Davina Wolter, Diversity Liaison, IDEA Initiatives
Tanisha Senaratne, Coordinator, IDEA Initiatives
Jessica Vernon, Associate Dean
Patrick Dent, Associate Dean
Raul Petris, Associate Dean

 

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