I write to express what I know is shared sadness and outrage in the aftermath of Tuesday’s murders in the Atlanta area. Most of the victims were Asian women, which reminds us once again of the painful costs of persistent bias against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs), as well as misogynistic violence, in our society. 

I want you to know that SPIA remains committed to addressing these issues. We stand in solidarity with the AAPI members of our community, as well as the statement issued yesterday by President Christopher L. Eisgruber. As he wrote last summer after the killing of George Floyd, “We all have an obligation to stand up against racism, wherever and whenever we find it.”

And we must. As those embedded in policy, we must work against these forces to ensure the safety and well-being of our entire society. We must — as our mission statement affirms — be of service to the nation and humanity and fight against hate, inequity, bias, discrimination, and violence.

If you need support, counsel, or a safe place to express yourself, we are here for you. If you need a dedicated processing space, we can work with Human Resources to set something up for our SPIA community. In the meantime, I urge you to review the resources the University has made available for students, faculty, and staff related to issues of systematic racism, diversity, and inclusion.

Again, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.

Regards,

Nolan McCarty
Interim Dean