March 19, 2021

Since the outbreak of COVID 19 there has been an alarming escalation of Anti-Asian sentiment and anti-Asian Violence across North America. The murders of eight people in Atlanta, including six Asian women, is the latest tragic event to highlight the ongoing racism and violence faced by members of the Asian community.

Wilfrid Laurier University stands with Asian and Asian identified students, faculty, and staff on all of our campuses, and with Asian communities across Canada and the world during this time. We condemn anti-Asian racism and all forms of violence fueled by hatred and bigotry. Laurier is committed to providing a safe, inclusive environment for everyone, and we are deeply concerned about students who feel unsafe or were harmed following this incident, or who have experienced racism themselves.

Anti-Asian violence is, sadly, not a new phenomenon in Canadian and North American history. Looking back, the Vancouver Anti-Asian Riots of 1907 reminds us that these sorts of sentiments are not new. Nonetheless, Asian communities have historically faced racist violence with characteristic strength, determination, resilience and agency.

A little over one month ago, third year Laurier student Melissa Huen eloquently wrote of the numerous hate crimes targeting Asian people over the past year, while deploring the lack of media coverage of these incidents. The recent murders of six Asian women in Atlanta shows us that Huen’s remarks were powerful and prescient. In light of the ongoing violence against Asian people over the past year, some have described these tragic murders as an inevitable and tragic conclusion.

Support spaces will be offered in the coming days by the Centre for Student Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (CSEDI) and Laurier International. Please email diversity@wlu.ca for details or to access community and resources. Other resources and supports for students, faculty, and staff are listed below. 

• Dean of Students Offices: Kate (Waterloo) and/or Adam (Brantford)
• International Student Support, Laurier International
• The Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion – diversity@wlu.ca 
• The Office of Dispute Resolution
• Laurier’s Special Constables Service

• The Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) available through Laurier’s Human Resources Department
• The Equity and Accessibility team in Human Resources at equity@wlu.ca
• Office of Dispute Resolution

Barrington Walker, PhD
Associate Vice President, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Wilfrid Laurier University