Standing Together Against Anti-Asian Hate and Bigotry 

Last week’s mass shooting in Atlanta was just the latest in a recent series of despicable acts of violence claiming Asian victims. According to Stop AAPI Hate, a national coalition organized to combat the rise in racism against Asian American and Pacific Islander communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 2,800 incidents of anti-Asian hate were reported between March 19 and Dec. 31.

Such bigotry has a long and deplorable history in the United States and remains all too real today. Our community stands against racism of every kind and stands in solidarity with our Asian and Asian American members. Our faculty Diversity Committee is working with the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association (APALSA) to organize a Community Conversation—currently planned for lunchtime this Wednesday, March 24— so that we can come together and share our reactions, reflections, experiences, and emotions in an effort to help, to heal, and to strengthen our shared commitment to eradicating hate in all its forms. This is also an opportunity for our students, faculty, and staff to share any similar concerns they may have about their own communities. For example, we also recognize that similarly appalling violence and abuse has been directed toward members of the Orthodox Jewish community during the pandemic.

For students who are experiencing stress, anxiety, or trauma in the wake of recent events, know that we want to help and that there are resources available to you. Please take advantage of Brooklaw.care, which provides free 24/7 medical and mental-health services. Reach out to Tami Adelson, our Acting Dean of Students, or to Karen Porter, our Associate Dean for Inclusion and Diversity.

Let us work together to build a community, profession, and society where racism, hate, and intolerance has no place.

Sincerely yours,

Michael T. Cahill 
President, Joseph Crea Dean & Professor of Law