Statement by UNC Geography regarding violence against Asian and Asian-Americans across the U.S.

The Department of Geography at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill condemns all forms of racial discrimination, hatred, bigotry, and violence. In the midst of growing episodes of violence against Asian and Asian-Americans across the U.S., we are horrified by the killing of eight people in Georgia, seven of which were women and six Asian-American. Our department is committed to rejecting hate and bigotry and fostering an inclusive environment in our student body, faculty, staff, and across our entire community. We stand in solidarity with Asian and Asian-American colleagues, students, staff, and communities and demand an end to all forms of racist and gendered violence and discrimination, including explicit and implied. As stated by the Carolina Asia Center, the scapegoating of Asian-Americans for social, economic, political, and public health crises is a painful part of American history that must be resisted today.

We support the important work and advocacy of the UNC Asian American Center, and the many ways that their staff, faculty and students have enriched our research, teaching and service. At this time, we are especially grateful for their resource page, which can help you identify mental health resources and mechanisms for reporting hate crimes.

We extend our sorrow and condolences to those most impacted by these events.