Tag Archives: Asian Pacific Islander Desi American

Anti-Asian Hate Crime on SJSU Campus

Dear campus community,

This morning you received a campus SJSUAlert message about an anti-Asian hate crime attack that targeted a male of Asian descent on our campus early this morning. The suspect was arrested and the victim has received medical care. From what we know both the suspect and victim were not campus affiliates.

As I am sure for many of you, when we read this message our first concern is for the safety of members of our campus community as well as the safety of our local community. We are concerned not just for our physical safety but also for our social psychological safety and well-being. Hate crimes, especially crimes of assault and battery are especially frightening because they can make entire communities feel vulnerable, often altering our sense of safety and even changing our everyday behaviors and routines. It is not unreasonable to feel fearful, vulnerable, powerless or angry even if you have no personal connection to the victim. In the case of anti-Asian hate crimes we are particularly concerned for the most vulnerable in our community: our elders who have been systematically targeted over these last few years. Anti-Asian hate incidents and crimes have escalated in the last two years around the country including here in the Bay Area. And San José State University is not immune from those trends. We understand that this hate is based in white supremacy and systemic racism which permeates our society including media and politics. We know that hate crimes are not isolated incidents. As an institution we stand against hate and hate-based violence. Here are some of the things that are being done:

  • We are working with our local community to provide University Police with materials for AAPI specific resources and services to be distributed to the victim since the victim is not part of the San José State campus.
  • ODEI, Asian Pacific Islander Desi/American Student Success Center (APID/A), Asian Pacific Islander Faculty and Staff Association, and MOSAIC Cross Cultural Center will continue to reach out and monitor community concerns.
  • We will continue to liaise with Chief Carroll of SJSU UPD to provide opportunities for communicating questions and concerns.
  • We have met with Associated Students President, Nina Chuang to discuss this incident and will continue working together moving forward.

Here are some thing you can do:

In closing, as members of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community, we want to express our grief and anger at this terrible hate crime that took place on our campus. We also want to let you know that we are here and that our offices and organizations are available to hold space and provide opportunities to process as a community or even one-on-one. For anyone feeling the impacts of this hate crime we have resources available for you to process the many complex emotions you may be feeling during this time. Please know that you are not alone. Whether student or employee, our campus has counseling and resources available to you.Sincerely,Kathleen Wong(Lau), Chief Diversity Officer, Office of Diversity, Equity, and InclusionJinni Pradhan, Program Director, APID/A Student Success CenterBonnie Sugiyama, Chair, Asian Pacific Islander Faculty Staff AssociationChris Yang, Director, MOSAIC Cross Cultural Center
As always, we have resources to help those who may need them. Students can contact Counseling and Psychological Services or SJSU Cares, while employees are encouraged to contact the Employee Assistance Program. We also offer a Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) that takes referrals regarding campus community members who may need assistance in terms of mental health support. BIT can consult or can reach out to individuals to provide support. Call 408-924-6339 or use this non-emergency referral form. Below is a list of campus based organizations and resources with staff who are knowledgeable about anti-Asian hate and support on these issues. Please contact them:

Below is a list of local community resources that can provide a starting place for legal and social services where staff are knowledgeable about anti-Asian hate and support on these issues. Please contact them:

Anti-Asian Hate and Atlanta Mass Murders

Dear campus community,

Late Tuesday night, the nation has learned about the horrific details of the killings in Atlanta of eight individuals, six of whom are Asian American women at the hands of a young white male gunman. These victims were targeted at three Asian owned small businesses. We are writing to condemn these murderous acts and to stand in solidarity with the victim’s families, their friends, and our greater APIDA community who feel the frightening and chilling impact of these brutal killings. 

Regardless of the ongoing investigation, we are writing because of the impact these murders are having on Asian Pacific Islander Desi American communities across the country including those who are part of our Spartan community. 

These killings come on the heels of years of rising hate motivated attacks against APIDA individuals throughout the U.S. and especially here in the Bay Area. These attacks have escalated exponentially in the last six months with many of the comments insinuating that people of Asian descent are to be blamed for the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The most important thing to understand is that hate incidents and racist incidents have wide reaching impacts no matter how geographically near or far in location. They have the potential to negatively and seriously impact individuals and communities in their homes, workplaces, and  everyday lives out in the world. 

As an educational institution we want to frame these incidents in a context to understand their impact, particularly at a time when our campus is actively working to address systemic racism and particularly anti-Black racism. Here is an introduction to the historical perspectives and context to understand the current anti-APIDA hate attacks:

  • They are a part of a long history of systemic anti-Asian hate in the U.S., particularly in California and the U.S. West since the arrival of APIDA communities in the 1800s.
  • Our relations and conflict with Asian countries has been repeatedly weaponized to perpetuate anti-APIDA hate.
  • APIDA communities are viewed  as “forever foreign in the United States, rather than contributing members of our society; regardless of citizenship or immigration status.” 
  • APIDA women have been targeted over twice the rate of others in racist attacks often hyper-sexualized by stereotypes.
  • Anti-APIDA hate must be understood within the larger context and dynamics of historical White Supremacy. 
  • Words matter, language matters, climate matters.

Unfortunately, as we have seen over the years, these hate motivated attacks are increasing toward many communities. As a community we must be vigilant and continue to come together; not just as these incidents are happening to each community, but to reach out to each other in our everyday work, education, and lives. We need to further our worldviews and understand how we can be active allies to each other so we can support our diverse and intersectional community. 

For more information on anti-APIDA hate incidents go to Stop AAPI Hate

Processing Space-Monday March 22nd

In order to support our APIDA campus community, we invite members of our APIDA community of staff, faculty, and students to a processing space scheduled on Monday, March 22 at 7:00 to 8:30 pm. This space is being collaboratively supported by our Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Counseling and Psychological Services; Mosaic Cross Cultural Center; Asian Pacific Islander Faculty and Staff Association; and the APID/A Task Force. We welcome our community members to join in this group space to share their thoughts, express their feelings, and come together in community. Please register for this space by clicking the button below.

Please note that this processing place is not designed to address those who may be having an urgent mental health crisis.

For Students:

If you have an emergency and need immediate assistance during our hours of operation, there is always a staff member available to assist you either on the phone or in person. Please call 408-924-5910 or visit us in the Student Wellness Center, Room 300B.

For after-hours emergencies, please call 911. If you live on campus, please call campus police at 408-924-2222. You may also call our main number 408-924-5910 after hours and press 4 to connect with the after-hours crisis service.

The County Suicide & Crisis Line is also available at 855-278-4204 (Toll-free) (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This service is also available 24/7.

In addition, you may send a text for help: Text ANSWER to 839863. The Crisis Call Center will respond 24/7/365. They will help get you through it. 

For Employees:

Counseling for Faculty and Staff

Visit LifeMatters® online for more information. Password: SPARTANS

To speak to someone from LifeMatters® confidentially, call 800-367-7474.

The County Suicide & Crisis Line is also available at 855-278-4204 (Toll-free) (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This service is also available 24/7.

In addition, you may send a text for help: Text ANSWER to 839863. The Crisis Call Center will respond 24/7/365. They will help get you through it.

Stop AAPI Hate

Dear campus community,

Late Tuesday night, the nation has learned about the horrific details of the killings in Atlanta of eight individuals, six of whom are Asian American women at the hands of a young white male gunman. These victims were targeted at three Asian owned small businesses. We are writing to condemn these murderous acts and to stand in solidarity with the victim’s families, their friends, and our greater APIDA community who feel the frightening and chilling impact of these brutal killings. 

Regardless of the ongoing investigation, we are writing because of the impact these murders are having on Asian Pacific Islander Desi American communities across the country including those who are part of our Spartan community. 

These killings come on the heels of years of rising hate motivated attacks against APIDA individuals throughout the U.S. and especially here in the Bay Area. These attacks have escalated exponentially in the last six months with many of the comments insinuating that people of Asian descent are to be blamed for the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The most important thing to understand is that hate incidents and racist incidents have wide reaching impacts no matter how geographically near or far in location. They have the potential to negatively and seriously impact individuals and communities in their homes, workplaces, and  everyday lives out in the world. 

As an educational institution we want to frame these incidents in a context to understand their impact, particularly at a time when our campus is actively working to address systemic racism and particularly anti-Black racism. Here is an introduction to the historical perspectives and context to understand the current anti-APIDA hate attacks:

  • They are a part of a long history of systemic anti-Asian hate in the U.S., particularly in California and the U.S. West since the arrival of APIDA communities in the 1800s.
  • Our relations and conflict with Asian countries has been repeatedly weaponized to perpetuate anti-APIDA hate.
  • APIDA communities are viewed  as “forever foreign in the United States, rather than contributing members of our society; regardless of citizenship or immigration status.” 
  • APIDA women have been targeted over twice the rate of others in racist attacks often hyper-sexualized by stereotypes.
  • Anti-APIDA hate must be understood within the larger context and dynamics of historical White Supremacy. 
  • Words matter, language matters, climate matters.

Unfortunately, as we have seen over the years, these hate motivated attacks are increasing toward many communities. As a community we must be vigilant and continue to come together; not just as these incidents are happening to each community, but to reach out to each other in our everyday work, education, and lives. We need to further our worldviews and understand how we can be active allies to each other so we can support our diverse and intersectional community. 

For more information on anti-APIDA hate incidents go to Stop AAPI Hate

Processing Space-Monday March 22nd

In order to support our APIDA campus community, we invite members of our APIDA community of staff, faculty, and students to a processing space scheduled on Monday, March 22 at 7:00 to 8:30 pm. This space is being collaboratively supported by our Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Counseling and Psychological Services; Mosaic Cross Cultural Center; Asian Pacific Islander Faculty and Staff Association; and the APID/A Task Force. We welcome our community members to join in this group space to share their thoughts, express their feelings, and come together in community. Please register for this space by clicking the button below.

Please note that this processing place is not designed to address those who may be having an urgent mental health crisis.

For Students:

If you have an emergency and need immediate assistance during our hours of operation, there is always a staff member available to assist you either on the phone or in person. Please call 408-924-5910 or visit us in the Student Wellness Center, Room 300B.

For after-hours emergencies, please call 911. If you live on campus, please call campus police at 408-924-2222. You may also call our main number 408-924-5910 after hours and press 4 to connect with the after-hours crisis service.

The County Suicide & Crisis Line is also available at 855-278-4204 (Toll-free) (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This service is also available 24/7.

In addition, you may send a text for help: Text ANSWER to 839863. The Crisis Call Center will respond 24/7/365. They will help get you through it. 

For Employees:

Counseling for Faculty and Staff

Visit LifeMatters® online for more information. Password: SPARTANS

To speak to someone from LifeMatters® confidentially, call 800-367-7474.

The County Suicide & Crisis Line is also available at 855-278-4204 (Toll-free) (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This service is also available 24/7.

In addition, you may send a text for help: Text ANSWER to 839863. The Crisis Call Center will respond 24/7/365. They will help get you through it.