In recent weeks, we have seen a horrifying rise in anti-Asian racism across the United States. Numerous crimes of hate and acts of violence have been committed against Asian and Asian American individuals and communities, and these are only the ones that have been documented publicly.

Throughout the pandemic, these hateful attacks have at times averaged approximately 100 per day, and the group STOP AAPI Hate—dedicated to ending hate crimes against Asian American Pacific Islander communities—received reports of more than 2,800 incidents of anti-Asian hate between March and December 2020. Most recently, this violence has included the murder of 84-year-old Thai-American Vicha Ratanapakdee in San Francisco, three brutal assaults in Oakland’s Chinatown district, the assault on Noriko Nasu and her boyfriend in Seattle and an attack on a 52-year-old Asian American woman standing outside a New York City bakery.

The Center for Counseling & Student Development extends our hearts out to the victims of this violence and their families, and adamantly condemns these acts of racism and White supremacy. We also recognize that this form of hate is not new. There exists a long history of violence and racism against Asian and Asian American people in the U.S., embedded deeply within the institutional and social fabric of this country and driven, upheld and normalized by its White supremacist foundations and history. During the pandemic, xenophobia and hate crimes against Asian and Asian American communities have been fueled by conspiracy theories and racist lies perpetuated on social media and by prominent members of the government. Furthermore, the historical impacts of the “Model Minority” myth and the unique ways Asian Americans are positioned within the racial hierarchy of the U.S. often render racial violence against Asian and Asian American people invisible. Finally, whether experienced directly or vicariously via media exposure, anti-Asian racism can have adverse impacts on the psychological health of Asian and Asian American individuals, including heightened anxiety, depression and racial trauma.

This violence reminds us all of the continued work we must do to combat racism, White supremacy, hate and violence in all of its forms. We call on all members of the UD community to stand in solidarity against these attacks. Especially during this time of disconnection, we encourage members of this community to reach out to each other and offer support.

For any students in the UD community who would like to speak with a counselor to receive support in processing and coping with experiences of racialized trauma, abuse, harassment, discrimination or violence, please contact us at 302-831-2141.

Students of color can also meet with staff of color during Students of Color Virtual Drop-In Hours without going through CCSD’s triage process. To access these appointments, please call our main number (302-831-2141) and request one of these drop-in meetings. You’ll be offered the first available time. Current hours are Mondays at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., Tuesdays at 10 a.m., Wednesdays at 2 p.m. and Thursdays at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. If these times do not work for you, please let our front desk staff know you would like to meet with a counselor of color and we will work with you to have you meet with one of them.

The UD Helpline is available 24/7/365 for phone support at 302-831-1001. People of color can also text STEVE to 741741 for a crisis counselor. Students can also reach out to the office of Student Diversity and Inclusion, which has resources for Asian Pacific Islander and Desi American students. Those wanting to engage in action to support the work of ending hate crimes against AAPI communities can also go to STOP AAPI Hate’s website.