In Solidarity with our AAPI Community
We Stand in Solidarity with our Asian American Pacific Islander Community. Ongoing violence against members of the Asian American Pacific Islander community and the murders of eight people, including six Asian women, in Atlanta, Georgia this week are horrific, repugnant, and are an assault on our core values of inclusion, diversity, and equity. This act and similar acts of violence highlight the intersection of xenophobia and misogyny.
We, the Board of Trustees, faculty, staff and administrators of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District firmly stand against all acts of hate and racism. Every instance of racism is abhorrent and must be condemned. The District is an anti-racist institution, and our colleges are working diligently to address issues of systemic and structural racism.
On March 16, 2021, the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Governing Board, in a unanimous vote, adopted a resolution condemning violence against the Asian American Pacific Islander community. In part, the resolution calls on all citizens to condemn the hateful acts against Asian American Pacific Islanders, and renews the District’s commitment to defend those who are targeted. This resolution sends a strong statement that reiterates our rejection of hate, and our commitment to anti-racism and inclusion. A similar resolution was adopted unanimously by the Governing Board in May 2020, denouncing xenophobia and the anti-Asian sentiment arising due to fears of the COVID19 pandemic. We all must do our part to combat systemic and structural racism and hate. To learn more about identifying structural racism, this Aspen Institute article provides an explanation and definitions of terminology.
What can you do to help?
First and foremost, authentically check on our AAPI colleagues and students. Listen,
and offer support and grace. If you need assistance, please contact one of the counselors
available on both campuses (Grossmont College | Cuyamaca College). Additionally, Grossmont College’s Asian Pacific Islander Committee is hosting “Boba Chats” on March 18, 23, and 24, where AAPI students and employees will connect to share
and discuss their experiences. Students and employees from throughout the District
are welcome.
Understand your own biases and thinking. This TedTalk on Asian stereotypes offers some meaningful insights. Learn more about safe bystander intervention techniques that can be useful if you witness an act of racism or hate. We all play a role in dismantling systems that allow and support racism and we all approach this work with our own experiences and background. This Learning for Justice tool can help you begin or advance your work to be an ally.
Support locally-owned AAPI businesses. The Asian Business Association has compiled a list by community. If you are a victim of hate, or if you witness a hateful action, Stop AAPI Hate offers tips and tools to help process the experience. Stop AAPI Hate is a national coalition that has been documenting the rise in AAPI-targeted racism and violence. Data from March 19, 2020, through February 28, 2021, reveal that youth report nearly 13% of all incidents of violence, and students are being bullied/verbally harassed, shunned or isolated, and physically assaulted. To report a hate crime in San Diego County, please visit the San Diego County District Attorney’s website.
Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District is committed to being an anti-racist institution and rejects all actions (or incidents) of hate. I encourage you to learn and listen to our Asian American Pacific Islander colleagues and community members for other ways to be an ally.
In solidarity,
Lynn Neault, Ed.D.
Chancellor
Julianna Barnes, Ed.D.
President, Cuyamaca College
Marsha Gable, Ed.D.
Interim President, Grossmont College