Dear BUILD EXITO Community,
Over the last year we have witnessed and experienced an increase in racial hate and violence against communities and people our program supports. BUILD EXITO has many Pacific Islander, Asian, and Asian American (PIAAA) Scholars, Alumni, Staff, and Faculty, and we stand in solidarity with our PIAAA members. As the news unfolded on the night of March 16th into the morning of the 17th, we felt anger and grief over the killings of 8 people - 6 being Asian women: Xiaojie Tan, Daoyou Feng, Soon C. Park, Hyun J. Grant, Suncha Kim, Yong A. Yue, Delaina Ashley Yaun Gonzalez, and Paul Andre Michels. Our thoughts are with the families of these victims, and we grieve with those who have been affected by this crime.
Just hours before this act of violence occurred, Stop AAPI Hate shared a report detailing 3,800 instances of discrimination against AAPI in the past year. If you are aware of the growing concerns around anti-Asian harassment and hate, please continue to educate yourself. Here is a good starting place: Anti-Asian Attacks Rise During Pandemic.
To our PIAAA Scholars and community, BUILD EXITO stands in solidarity with you and will continue to provide a welcomed and safe space for you. If you are seeking community support and want resources please see our lists below.
Sincerely,
The BUILD EXITO Team
