ASOSU Says Stop Asian Hate - Official Statement! | Office of the Registrar

Body:

To our Oregon State Community,

Stop Asian Hate.

We must call this moment what it truly is: white supremacy, anti-Asian racism, sexism, and sexual violence against Asian American women. As leaders of the Associated Students of OSU, together we are in solidarity with the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. We send strength to members of this community and seek to empower you. We are here to offer action and resources to the many impacted by the devastating act of violence in Atlanta on 3/16/2021.

It should be known that hate crimes committed towards the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community is nothing new. It should also be noted that toxic stereotypes of objectification and fetishization of Asian women also contributes to the vulnerability of attacks like in Atlanta. These stereotypes have been perpetuated by US media, Hollywood and US federal agencies, among others. The Page Act of 1875 was established to limit prostitution and forced labor but, in practice, it was weaponized to prevent Chinese women from immigrating to the United States as they were assumed to be prostitutes. Then, the Chinese Exclusion Act was established and the Executive Order 9066, which established Japanese internment during World War II. These laws were rooted in xenophobia and racism and their passage illustrate how a community has been terrorized by our own US government all over Asia, from Eastern to Western ends of the world.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 global pandemic, there has been a rise in Asian Hate Crimes which have heightened in the past few months, weeks, days and hours that unfortunately have led to this tragedy. The COVID-19 global pandemic has sparked alarming levels of racially motivated violent attacks against the AAPI community such as street harassment and vandalization of small businesses. This series of anti-Asian violence have exacerbated hatred and added momentum to the long timeline of racism and sexism embedded in our political and institutional structures.

It’s important to find ACTION and HEALING to move forward.

Here we are once again in pain and reviving trauma, our students are tired and exhausted. We ask ourselves: why are these systems who were not built for (BIPOC, Queer and Immigrant communities) continue to harm us?.

Throughout our history, and especially in the last year, hate crimes have been excused because this system of “Justice” was not built for those who aren't white. This is why we need to continue to speak up.

As leaders of the ASOSU, we condemn these actions that terrorize and traumatize our Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Student Community. Our ASOSU administration is here to hear you beyond what we know are empty words, and we are here to stand united in solidarity with you and will continue to advocate for YOU.

Allies, peers, students, let’s continue going beyond checking on our AAPI siblings. Let’s continue to use your platforms to educate yourself and others, raise awareness, and build community.

To the faculty and staff at OSU, we ask you not to turn a blind eye to what is currently impacting our students.

Words are nothing if there is no action behind them. Time and time again students at OSU have been subject to empty words and promises, especially impacting those students from BIPOC, Queer, International communities. As the ASOSU, we continue to educate ourselves and better serve our communities. Our work continues.

We have added a few links to information, funds, petitions and other OSU resources so you can advance your understanding, allyship, and advocacy on this issue:

External Resources:

https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2020/3/4/21157825/coronavirus-pandemic-xenophobia-racism

www.stopaapihate.org

Support the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act

Redcanarysong.net

advancingjustice-aajc.org

45 ways you can donate by New York Mag: bit.ly/nymag-aapi A sianmhc.org

n qapia.org

OSU Resources:

Counseling and Psychological Services

Beavers Support Network

Wellness Coaching