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Student Government  ›  Graduate Student Assembly  ›  GSA Communications  ›  2021-spring  ›  Follow-up on: Statement on Rising Anti-Asian Hate Crimes & Resources

Following substantial student and alumni feedback on the March 8 message (below), the GSA’s most recent statement from March 22 follows:

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(Sent March 22, 2021)

Dear CMU Graduate Students,
 
About two weeks ago, we sent out a message offering our solidarity with and support for CMU’s Asian and Asian American communities. Since then, we have received candid feedback from some of our current community members and alumni. We acknowledge and regret that some of the topics we chose to address at that moment distracted from our core message, and we apologize for causing pain in the communities we were trying to support. We have removed the message from our website, and will consider the feedback we were offered as we promote future programming and communications designed to support our diverse CMU community.
 
Please know that we deeply care for all of our graduate students. We fight hard every day to make the graduate student experience better for everyone, and remain steadfast in our support of all of our graduate students. We state again: we stand against hate, white supremacy and racism. We stand with and support the Asian community. We must come together to combat hatred and racism in all its forms, and it starts with each and every one of us.
 
Respectfully,
2020-2021 GSA Executive Committee
 
Josh Gyory | President
Kristen Allen | Vice President of Academic Affairs
Maggie McGrann | Vice President of Graduate Student Life
Divyansh Kaushik | Vice President of External Affairs
Satvika Neti | Vice President of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Gary Wilkins | Vice President of Finance
Adam Stein | Vice President of Campus Affairs
Santiago Carrasquilla | Vice President of Internal Affairs

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The original Message is copied below.

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(Sent March 8, 2021)

Dear Fellow Graduate Students, 

For the past couple of weeks, our national attention has been drawn towards the spike of hate crimes being perpetrated against our Asian community, especially against our elders. While hate targeted toward those of Asian descent is not new, COVID-19 has brought with it an alarming rise in hate crimes and harrassment across the country, culminating most recently in the murder of 19 year old Christan Hall by PA State Police as he was having a mental health crisis. 

GSA unequivocally condemns these hate crimes, and stands in solidarity with the Asian community in the United States as we find ways to take action together. We urge the entire CMU community to come together in fellowship and solidarity, check in on and support each other, donate to and volunteer with organizations working for equity and justice, and stay connected in this time of need. 

While we as a campus community address these concerns and work to make a welcoming campus for all our students, it is important to also remember that the Asian community isn’t one of homogeneity. Various events—often traumatic—are happening in different Asian countries, including: the ongoing genocide of Uighurs and other predominantly Muslim ethnic minorities in Xinjiang, the crackdown on pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong, and the farmers’ protests in India, among many others. We must remember that these may add to the stress our peers are feeling during this time. 


Over the summer, we compiled and shared a guide of anti-racist resources. The original goal was to centralize an inclusive repository for students to find ways to take action in their community in the context of the Black Lives Matter movement. Through the events of this past year, it has become clear that we have the opportunity to expand this living document as a central resource for intersectional anti-racism initiatives. 

With that in mind, we are currently reworking the original document, which you can find at the bottom of this email. We hope to have this ready to share soon, but in the meantime here is a sampling of resources specifically aimed at supporting the Asian community and offering guidance to allies on how to make an impact.

CMU Resources:


Community Resources:



As we continue navigating these difficult times together, the emotions you and your peers are experiencing are valid and real. During a time when we need each other the most, we must recognize how we affirm and show up for each other. We encourage you to check in with your peers and colleagues; offer to listen, empathize, and provide support to one another. 


Please reach out to the Graduate Student Assembly and help us identify additional ways that we can provide support and guide our advocacy work. 


Our thoughts are with each and every one of you,


Respectfully Signed, 

The Graduate Student Assembly 

2020 - 2021 Executive Committee

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