Dear SSW Community,

The recent shootings in the Atlanta area on Tuesday, March 16 highlight an increasing and extremely troubling trend of Anti-Asian violence across the nation. Eight people were murdered in this horrific attack, six of whom were Asian women. Although we will continue to learn more as the investigations unfold, we cannot ignore how this event instills a sense of heightened fear and vulnerability in our Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander communities.

Yesterday, Asian Americans Advancing Justice released a statement in response to the shootings. In addition to providing a call for action and accountability, they aptly pointed out the violence perpetrated against Asian Americans is being “fueled by white supremacy and systemic racism.” We must also recognize this tragic event as another example of gender-based violence.

As a School that is committed to preparing youth workers and social workers to engage in anti-racist and anti-oppressive practices, we are all called at this moment to stand in solidarity with our friends, colleagues, and family members in the Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander communities. Our solidarity and commitment to social justice is fundamental to ending the rampant violence against women and members of the BIPOC community.

We send our heartfelt condolences to the family members, loved ones, and communities that are grieving at this time.

—Joe Merighi, Interim Director, SSW