In recent months, there have been numerous senseless acts upon the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Recent incidents in Atlanta have resulted in tragic loss. These have also resurfaced the inequality that the AAPI community faces. Support from other communities to fight racial injustice occurred, especially on social media.
NCC’s call to action
“North Central College stands united in support of the AAPI community, including our own students, faculty, staff and alumni and we unequivocally denounce all hateful and racially motivated acts of harassment and violence,” according to President Troy Hammond in an email to the campus community.
Most importantly, NCC is not brushing these hatred acts aside. Rather they are doing something about it to educate the NCC community. The Offices of Multicultural Affairs, Residence Life and the DEI Task Force organized an AAPI Solidarity Week from March 29–April 2. This week includes a virtual Fireside Chat event and a special guest speaker.
Also, NCC is holding events to educate about diversity, equity and inclusion including an online community event. The event, “White Supremacy and Racial Violence, 1867–2021,” will be held from 12 p.m.–1:15 p.m. on Thursday, March 25. This event, run by two student DEI Task Force members and professors from NCC, will link to the history of racial violence, white supremacy and the Black Lives Matter movement. Students interested in attending the event can find out more about it here.
“Just because I am Asian doesn’t mean I am off the hook for anti-racism work. It’s something I am trying to be more committed to and aware of in my life,” said Hannah Kato, ’22, in an Instagram story post.
Social media support
Similarly, NCC social media accounts have posted different content to end violence against the AAPI community. Some of these posts on Instagram are from North Central Untitled and NCC Theatre Dept. Individual students also posted on their social media to speak out against this AAPI inequality and injustice.
“I am tired of being told that there isn’t any space for me in my career path because of the shape of my eyes … I am tired of the lack of empathy,” said Kato.
Students can report bias incidents or acts of harassment here.
