March 22, 2021
Dear MSU Denver community,
On the behalf of the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Alliance, we are reaching out as a gathering of voices in heartfelt response to the recent hate crime that occurred in Atlanta. While the latest rash of anti-APIDA violence has taken place some 1,400 miles away, we live with the sobering reality that irrational, unpredictable acts of racialized violence can and do happen here. Community-led efforts have voiced ways in which we will not condone violence in any form amongst our resilient communities, and as Dr. Davidson noted yesterday morning, MSU Denver also stands in solidarity.
To our resilient students, you are not alone. We underscore the invitation to reach out to the Counseling Center (303-615-9988) or the Student Care Center (303-615-0006) during this difficult time. The Counseling Center will also be hosting a support space for students on Thursday from 2-3 p.m.
To faculty and staff, we thank you all of the valuable work you do to maintain our commitment to upholding diversity, equity and inclusion in and outside of our classrooms. Our roles in the University as educators and mentors are both valued and crucial to the MSU Denver mission. Remember to grant yourselves the space and grace to process, mourn, and heal in this difficult time before serving our community. The Counseling Center will also be hosting a support space for APIDA faculty and staff on Tuesday from 2-3 p.m.
To our administrators, we invite sustained bias to action, and to continue the exceptional work we do in the name of our University mission. While we have many commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion work well underway, our trauma-informed tools need to be fully activated as we hear the struggles of all of our students during this time of Covid-19. Spaces and time for coalition-building and solidarity are especially needed, as it is difficult for the APIDA community to hear racist accusations of blame for a global pandemic. With deep breaths, we need to stay the course to sustain our commitment to racial equity.
In support and solidarity,
APIDA Alliance leadership
AnnJanette Alejano-Steele
Jade Hoyer
Sandra Leu Bonanno
Courtney Matsumoto
Sophia Tran
AnnJanette Alejano-Steele
Jade Hoyer
Sandra Leu Bonanno
Courtney Matsumoto
