Statement in Solidarity with Asian and Asian American Communities Across the United States
On March 16, 2021, a white gunman killed eight people at three Asian American-owned businesses in the Atlanta area. Six of the victims were women of Asian descent. This disturbing act is part of a long history of abuse and violence aimed at Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian American, and other communities of color.
The Department of History at Santa Clara University vehemently condemns the racialized and sexualized violent attacks against Asian Americans, which include a series of attacks since the start of the pandemic as well as the murders that took place in and around Atlanta on Tuesday night. We also condemn the pervasive discrimination and stereotyping that has hurt Asian Americans for far too long. We stand in solidarity with our Asian and Asian American colleagues, students, friends, family, and neighbors.
As historians, we understand that racial violence has a long history in the United States--a history tied to colonialism, slavery, and imperialism. While this is indeed our past, it doesn’t have to be our future.