Whereas diversity and inclusion are core values of Southern Methodist University, benefiting every member of our community by providing a wide range of perspectives based on our varied identities and life experiences,
Whereas incidents of verbal and physical violence targeting members of the Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities have surged nationally since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the tragic shootings in Atlanta on March 16, 2021 that took the lives of eight innocent people, six of whom Asian women, and have been preceded by years of rising anti-Chinese sentiment in the United States,
Whereas a hate crime is defined by Oxford’s English Dictionary as a “crime, typically one involving violence, that is motivated by prejudice on the basis of race, religion, sexual orientation, or other grounds”,
Let it be resolved that the SMU Faculty Senate stands with the Asian-American Pacific Islander community in vehemently condemning these hate crimes and any hate crimes,
Let it be further resolved that the SMU Faculty Senate resolutely opposes bigotry, discrimination and xenophobia in all their forms, and expresses its unflinching support, staunch commitment and deep appreciation to AAPI students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends in these trying times,
And let it be further resolved that the SMU Faculty Senate calls on all SMU faculty to stand in solidarity with the AAPI community, offer support and compassion to anyone impacted directly or indirectly by these hate crimes, and report any hate crime to the appropriate authorities.
This statement was unanimously approved by the SMU Faculty Senate Executive Committee earlier this afternoon.
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