Friends,
Three weeks ago, we could not have imagined that our lives would change so drastically. In this short time, as we’ve learned to adjust, our communities have come together in ways that are inspiring and encouraging as we navigate our new realities.
However, in recent weeks, we’ve also seen an uptick in racist and xenophic attacks against members of the Asian-American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Recent tallies show that there are now more than 1,000 reported cases of AAPI people being called racial slurs, being physically attacked or both. This behavior is unacceptable, and we stand in solidarity with the AAPI community.
There is no doubt that these are uncertain times and that we are all experiencing a great amount of fear about what the future holds. But, in times of crisis, we are charged with taking care of each other, not turning against our fellow person. We all have a role to play in guaranteeing the safety of our friends and neighbors.
As the Trump administration continues to fail in its response to the coronavirus pandemic, including normalizing discriminatory language and behavior, we remain committed to equity and justice. Our sisterhood is made up of alums and staff members that represent a multitude of communities, experiences and backgrounds, and that is something of which we are immensely proud.
Now is not the time for us to be divided. Instead, we must stand united against bigotry and hatred.
In Sisterhood,
A’shanti F. Gholar
President of Emerge
