The Department of Theater and Dance condemns in the strongest possible terms violence, racism, bigotry, and discrimination against Asian people and all members of the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. The rise in Anti-Asian rhetoric this past year, and the related violence targeting the AAPI community, is simply a recent increase in the long-standing abuse that this community has endured in silence for far too long. We are committed to ensuring that our Asian/AAPI students and colleagues work in a safe and respectful environment. Our department strives to be a place of free expression, generous collaboration, and inclusion of all people who seek to come together to create and study. We proudly stand in solidarity with our Asian/AAPI artists, audiences, and community members.
Dear Members of Our Campus Community,
In a horrific way, this week has brought to the forefront the rise in anti-Asian violence that our country has been witnessing. Our campus is heartbroken and outraged by all hateful acts against the Asian community across the nation, in our state, and experienced by members of our own community. Such attacks go against our fundamental values at UC Santa Barbara.
The killings in Atlanta on Tuesday are appalling and tragic, and they have sparked feelings of fear and anger for the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) community on our campus and everywhere. The rampage has also further ignited concerns of racialized misogyny, with recent reports indicating that a significant majority of anti-Asian incidents target women. We stand firmly against all forms of hate, violence, and discrimination, and stand united in solidarity with our APIDA community.
I would like to thank all of our campus community members who have spoken out against anti-Asian racism and xenophobia in recent days and weeks, including students, faculty, staff, and alumni who have written to me personally. Recent messages to our campus include a statement from our Office of the Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion condemning the rise of anti-Asian violence.
We would like to take this opportunity to remind you of resources that may be of help at a time like this. For our students who feel they may need counseling, we encourage you to contact CAPS at (805) 893-4411. For staff and faculty, our Academic & Staff Assistance Program can be reached at asap@hr.ucsb.edu. If you or someone you know wishes to communicate a bias incident or hate crime, you can file a report and find resources at studentlife.sa.ucsb.edu/bias. We care for those of you who are struggling and afraid, and we are here to support you.
As a campus family, we want our APIDA community and every member of our community to feel at home – welcome, accepted, supported, and safe. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment, and to addressing all forms of racism and discrimination. The change we want to see in the world starts here with all of us.
Sincerely,
Henry T. Yang
Chancellor
