The UBC School of Public Policy and Global Affairs and its Institute of Asian Research strongly condemn the recent tragic violence against the Asian community in Georgia and the rise in anti-Asian racism in the United States and in Canada. Hatred, xenophobia, and violence have no place in our society or in our political discourse. We offer our support and stand in solidarity with UBC’s Asian community, and all racialized groups, recognizing that Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour in Canada experience racism on a daily basis. We must unite against racism in all its forms.
In 2019, half of UBC students who identified as ethnically Asian reported experiencing discrimination. Since the onset of the pandemic, half of reported anti-Asian racist incidents in Canada took place in BC, with women targeted in 70% of incidents, half of which took place in public spaces. Globally throughout the covid-19 pandemic, we have also seen an increase in violence against women worldwide, rooted in misogyny.
Some of those in power have used the pandemic as a way of encouraging anti-Asian racism in their rhetoric, increasing the danger faced by Asian American and Asian Canadian communities. There is never justification for racism in our society and we will continue to advocate against racism and confront white supremacy in our work.
The UBC School of Public Policy and Global Affairs and the Institute of Asian Research are committed to furthering research on Asia that includes listening closely to Asian, Asian Canadian, and Asian American voices and to working with them in stemming this latest scourge of prejudice and violence.
The SPPGA Race, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (REDI) Committee is planning an event on the rise of anti-Asian racism in Canada during the Covid-19 pandemic. They are currently in the process of reaching out to community organizations for collaboration and partnership on the event. The event is tentatively scheduled for the end of March/beginning of April. More details are forthcoming and will be posted on this page.
We support the Statement on Anti-Asian Racism issued by UBC President Santa J. Ono.
Please read the Statement Regarding Atlanta Shootings and a list of resources compiled by the Centre for Japanese Research (CJR) at the Institute of Asian Research.
For resources on combatting anti-Asian racism and violence, please visit:
