Anti-Asian and Anti-Asian American Racism (February 26, 2021)

To our campus community,

I am writing to you again about racism in our society, and specifically about anti-Asian and anti-Asian American racism.

A substantial number of Asian Americans and those of Asian identity have been subjected to physical attacks and incidents of harassment motivated by their race and ethnicity. Stop AAPI Hate, a coalition that has been documenting and addressing anti-Asian hate and discrimination amid the COVID-19 pandemic, reports that, between March 2020 and the end of last year, there were 2,808 reported incidents of violence and harassment directed at Asian Americans and Asians, almost all of which were racially motivated. And these attacks continue in 2021.

I am writing to acknowledge and condemn these reprehensible acts, and to make it clear that we stand in solidarity with those at Bowdoin, and across our country and beyond, who are of Asian identity or background.

This racism is yet another reminder of why our commitment to creating a community that provides equity of opportunity for everyone and the chance for each of us to truly belong here is urgent and unbending, and why educating Bowdoin students to understand the realities of race and racism and equipping them to create racial justice and to build a truly inclusive world is an imperative for the College.

Stay safe,

Clayton