Together, we can
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March 18, 2021
Purdue CAPS recognizes any feelings of anger, fear, hopelessness, isolation, or numbness that may be related to the recent shootings in Atlanta and Acworth, Georgia in which eight people were killed, including six Asian women. We acknowledge the toll this may take in a community already in pain recognizing the ongoing threat and danger of xenophobia, anti-Asian hate, white supremacy, systemic racisms, prejudice, and injustice. Furthermore, we recognize the recent growth in hate crimes and discrimination targeting Asian Americans, specifically the 150% increase in hate crimes towards Asians and Asian Americans, 31% increase in verbal harassment, and a noted 3,795 incidents reported to Stop AAPI Hate in the last year (with 503 incidents occurring in 2021 alone). We also recognize that this is likely an underestimation of anti-Asian bias as most incidents are unreported. We condemn speech and actions perpetuating such behavior and terrorism in our country. We care about and stand with our Asian students, faculty, and staff, and we oppose systemic racism, prejudice, injustice, and inequity.
We want to support our students as they process the trauma and grief that may arise from these and other events. We strive to be here as allies and as a resource to validate, empathize with, and help process these painful experiences and feelings. Purdue CAPS acknowledges the need for continued advocacy of compassion and justice for our Asian and other marginalized community members. As a counseling center, we are committed to doing our best to cultivate antiracist and multicultural perspectives. We are engaging in conversations about how these events may impact members of our campus community. Please see our links below for additional online resources that may support student, faculty, and staff during this difficult time.
