March 2, 2022 at 6:35 p.m.
Condemning Anti-Asian Violence
Dear CSSW Community,
Yesterday we saw the heartbreaking news of the death of GuiYing Ma, an Asian-American woman from Queens. She was attacked last November, leaving her in a coma for 10 weeks. Her loss is the latest in a series of brutal attacks on those of Asian descent in New York City; we send our deepest condolences to her family and all those who have been impacted by such violence and loss.
It is horrifying to consider the frequency with which we are sending these notes out—and a testament to how much work our country needs to do in protecting marginalized communities. Anti-Asian hate crimes have increased dramatically during the course of the COVID pandemic. Furthermore, this trend extends well beyond NYC. The Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism estimates that anti-Asian violence increased by 339% in 2021 versus 2020. We recognize, too, that many of these attacks are perpetrated by individuals in desperate need of mental health care, another area in which our society falls woefully short in providing for vulnerable communities.
This cannot be tolerated. The collective trauma and detriments to mental health among affected communities are mounting and must be reversed. Important organizations like Stop AAPI Hate offer resources, opportunities to report, be educated, and press for needed legislation. While this must be a nationwide effort, we can also do more to support our local communities. Below this message are resources assembled by the wonderful and committed students in the API Caucus, as well as by our Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.
We have to acknowledge this hate, heighten our awareness about these continued acts of racism, and support and stand in solidarity with Asian and Pacific Islander members of our community.
In community,
Melissa Begg
Dean & Professor
Karma Lowe
Associate Dean
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and Community Engagement
RESOURCES
Columbia Resources:
Counseling and Psychological Services
CU Health’s Support Space for Asian Students
Columbia’s Department of Public Safety
If you need to report a crime to Columbia
If able, download the Lion Safe App that features all safety resources Columbia offers
List of Area Safe Havens
Columbia Safety Escort Services
Free Columbia Shuttle Service – See Areas Covered HERE
CSSW Panel Discussion: Stigma and Racism in Times of Epidemics (April 17, 2020)
Additional Resources
Hollaback! Bystander Intervention Resources can be found here.
AAJC Facts, Reporting, Trainings & Community Resources can be found here.
Asian Mental Health Collective | Mental Health Resources for API communities can be found here.
NYC Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes | COVID-19-related Anti-Bias Education Resource Guide can be found here. COVID-19 related hate and bias Incidents fact sheet and reporting in Arabic, Urdu, Korean, Bengali, Yiddish, Vietnamese, Japanese, Chinese, and more can be found here.
Asian Therapist Directory via Asians for Mental Health
Safety & Prevention Tools
- Amazon $10 (if able to get shipped to you)
- May also be available at nearby campus stores
- Target: 795 Columbus Ave
- Home Depot: 600 Exterior St
- If you click the button twice it will notify your preselected emergency contacts and ADT, and they will be able to track you and send emergency services if needed
Other General Tips
We again want to emphasize that we share in folks’ frustration that this is where we are, where we even have to consider such precautions. While incredibly disheartening, we do want you to know your options, continue to remain vigilant, and manage your safety as best as you can. Other ideas (and welcome folks to share in our community):
