Support for our Asian and Asian American community members
To members of the MIT community,
As communities worldwide respond to the threat and impact of the coronavirus, reports of anti-Asian harassment have been on the rise. We support Asian and Asian American members of our community. Hate has no place here at MIT.
You can read our statement below.
Sincerely,
John H. Dozier
Responding to Anti-Asian Sentiment During the Coronavirus Pandemic
As communities worldwide respond to the threat and impact of the coronavirus, reports of anti-Asian harassment have been on the rise. The MIT Institute Community & Equity Office (ICEO) and the Asian Pacific American Employee Resource Group (APA-ERG) and its executive sponsor, Vice President and Dean for Student Life Suzy Nelson, with the support of the Office of the Associate Provost for Faculty Development and Diversity, the Graduate Student Council’s Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee (GSC DEI), the Asian American Initiative (AAI), and the Undergraduate Association, stand in solidarity with members of the Asian and Asian American community who have been the targets of racism and xenophobia.
A few anti-Asian bias incidents have been reported to the GSC DEI, and these are unacceptable. The small number of reports does not indicate a relative absence of cases, since hate crimes and bias incidents are often underreported. As Massachusetts and other states begin to reopen, concerns for the welfare of Asians and Asian Americans have been raised. In the Greater Boston region and across the country, essential Asian Pacific American (APA) health care workers and other individuals have reported experiencing verbal and physically violent attacks. Members of the MIT APA community have expressed concerns for their personal safety.
Along with our gratitude for all health care workers, our colleagues at MIT who are devising Covid-19 solutions in their labs, and our colleagues who have facilitated the donation of personal protective equipment (PPE) to hospitals, we offer our heartfelt support to all Asians and Asian Americans who have faced harassment, including those who are members of our Institute community – our students, postdocs, staff, and faculty.
Hate has no place here at MIT. The MIT community has rallied together even as we have become far-flung and physically distanced, showing strength, innovation, and compassion in an unprecedented time of crisis.
A Cultural Shift to Challenge Beliefs and Biases About Asians Amid the Covid-19 Pandemic
We are calling for a cultural shift that depends on individuals challenging their own beliefs and biases. Fears of associating with Asians due to the coronavirus are rooted in broad generalizations about their numerous cultures, especially those of Chinese descent, and a history of stereotypes and misunderstandings.
These resources may be helpful to learn about stereotypes, how to reduce stigma, and the history of anti-Asian sentiment and discrimination in the United States:
- MIT guidance on reducing stigma
- What Every Teacher and Mentor Should Know: A Guide to Identifying and Reducing Stereotype Threat to Maximize Student Performance, by Weslee S. Glenn, Elizabeth M. Vogel Taylor, and Catherine L. Drennan
- A Troubling Legacy, a concise history of anti-Asian sentiment in the United States, by the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL)
- An Unnoticed Struggle, a concise history of Asian American civil rights issues, by the JACL
- Words Can Kill the Spirit, a JACL brochure that explains racial slurs directed at Asian Americans
“I also hope we can be sensitive to each other’s burdens in this situation and make accommodations when we can. And I count on every member of our community to make sure that the discrimination, shunning and bullying that sometimes accompany an outbreak never occur at MIT.”
President L. Rafael Reif
March 5, 2020
What follows are avenues for reporting hate crimes, and both on-campus and external resources if you have been the victim of an attack or have concerns about possible attacks.
Reporting Anti-Asian Harassment During the Coronavirus Pandemic
If you have been attacked on the MIT campus, please contact the MIT Police at (617) 253-1212. You should also report this incident with the Institute Discrimination & Harassment Response Office at idhr@mit.edu. Some people wonder whether they should report cases that are not physically violent – there is no case too minor to report.
Reporting hate crimes increases our awareness and helps us to focus and allocate community resources toward prevention and response. Here are some organizations that are tracking anti-Asian attacks:
- The Asian American Commission
- Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Stand Against Hate
- COVID-19 Racial Aggression Live Map, a crowdsourced Google map created by two students at Harvard University on the frequency and severity of racially charged aggression against the Asian population during the pandemic
- Stop AAPI Hate
Resources at MIT
- MyLife Services is a free, confidential MIT benefit for faculty, staff, postdocs, and their families. One call puts you in touch with a network of experts who can provide emotional and behavioral counseling, work-life consultations, and personalized referrals. Call 844-405-LIFE (844-405-5433).
- Academic and personal support resources for undergraduate and graduate students have been virtualized and are available to help students. Learn more about how you can get in touch with Student Support Services, GradSupport, Student Mental Health and Counseling Services, and many other services.
- The Office of Multicultural Programs and SPXCE have also virtualized their services, and are available to provide students with support, guidance, and opportunities to connect with others.
External Resources
- Asian American Commission’s Community Action Guide
- Bystander Intervention Virtual Trainings are one-hour, interactive sessions organized by Hollaback! and Asian Americans Advancing Justice
- Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) resources:
- When Hate Hits You, a guide that outlines examples of hate crimes, factors that cause anti-Asian sentiment, and steps to take when an incident occurs
- Anti-Asian Sentiment on Campus, a brochure that outlines what to do if a hate incident or hate crime occurs on campus
Supported/Signed by,
Asian Pacific American (APA-ERG) Employee Resource Group
Asian American Initiative (AAI)
Graduate Student Council’s Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee
Undergraduate Association
John Dozier, Institute Community and Equity Officer
Tim Jamison, Associate Provost for Faculty Development and Diversity
Suzy Nelson, Executive Sponsor, APA-ERG, and Vice President and Dean for Student Life