Standing in solidarity with AAPI Cougs

Dear WSU Everett Community,

WSU Everett joins the nation in mourning the stolen lives of eight people, including six Asian women, gunned down on Tuesday in Atlanta. We are saddened and angered by this senseless act of violence and by the fact that it was just the latest in a wave of attacks against our Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities.

We stand with you in solidarity in condemning all acts of anti-Asian violence and anti-Asian racism in the communities and country we share. In the days ahead, as our emotions move past shock and disbelief, our thoughts ought to turn to action. This time, we must offer more than thoughts and prayers to yet another community caught in the cloud of hate.

Hate crimes against Asian Americans have spiked across the United States. Many of those documented incidents have escalated to brutal assaults and murder. Asian Americans reported nearly 3,800 hate-related incidents in all 50 states, according to a report released by Stop AAPI Hate, which tracks such cases against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

I have called on our communities to fight injustices and racism in the past and I repeat that call here. Do not stand passively by as an entire group is forced to live in fear. Use your voice, your social media platforms, and your presence to demand better. When you hear something, say something. When you see something, do something. Let us work together to stop the hate against our Asian and Asian-American community.

As we look out for each other, we must take care of ourselves. Find resources in your community, in your workplace. Resources for faculty and staff can be found here and our students can reach out to WSU about incidents here and get support from the Student Care Network here.

Lastly, let us collectively hold fast to our resolve that we will not let hate win. As we work to combat racism and keep our communities safe, we must continue to build lives that garner hope, happiness, and pride. Whether you are running a business, earning a degree, or raising a family, continue to build. We cannot live in fear. To do so would be to let those individuals who are filled with hate be the winners.

In solidarity,

Dr. Paul Pitre, Chancellor
WSU Everett and Everett University Center