Fort Worth Medical School Statement on Anti-Asian Violence
The TCU and UNTHSC School of Medicine is greatly concerned to see hate crimes on the rise against Asian Americans and Anti-Asian sentiment in the wake of the pandemic has spiked. As a medical community working towards providing and achieving optimal health for all, we recognize that seeing and hearing of incidences of Asians being violently assaulted in the past few weeks has left many in our community feeling vulnerable and afraid.
March 22, 2021
Dear Members of the SOM Community:
Hate against Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities has risen during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. We have been greatly concerned the last several months to see that hate crimes are on the rise against Asian Americans and Anti-Asian sentiment in the wake of the pandemic has spiked. For example, according to STOP AAPI Hate, a reporting site for hate incidents, reported 2,808 accounts of anti-Asian hate in 47 states and the District of Columbia.
These shocking numbers are frightening by themselves; it means people are struggling with fear and anxiety that permeates personal and professional lives and relationships. We also know that while these are recent data points, anti-Asian sentiment has been a part of our society for far longer.
As a medical community working towards providing and achieving optimal health for all, we recognize that seeing and hearing of incidences of Asians being violently assaulted in the past few weeks has left many in our community feeling vulnerable and afraid. The American College of Physicians in 2017 states that “hate crimes directed against individuals based on their race, ethnic origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity, nationality, primary language, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, cultural background, age, disability, or religion are a public health issue.”
Acknowledging these contexts, we recommend the following actions:
- Recognize that Anti-Asian xenophobia and racism may negatively affect your physical and mental health. Additionally, you may experience difficulty concentrating, worry about your safety, decreased self-esteem, irritability with others, and a temporary lack of interest in your day-to-day activities. We encourage students, faculty, and staff to access medical and mental health supports as needed. Please reach out to TCU Counseling and Mental Health Center.
- Connect with those you trust. Social support is critical, and expressing concern about how you are being affected can be clarifying and energizing.
- Seek assistance from campus departments, including the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Student Affairs.
- Report incidents of bias and acts of discrimination at Texas Christian University.
Resources for Addressing Coronavirus Racism:
- Teach-in Resources by Dr. Oliver Chang, Associate Professor of History and Asian American Studies at the University of Connecticut
- Stop AAPI Hate Safety Tips & Bystander Interventions
- How to Support your Asian American Colleagues Amid Anti-Asian Violence
- NYT Op-ed: What this Wave of Anti-Asian Violence Reveals About America
Please continue to take care of yourselves and each other as we continue to strive for a SOM community that prioritizes racial justice and is mutually respectful, physically safe, broadly inclusive, socially connected, and morally accountable. Most importantly, seek support as needed.
In Solidarity,
Diversity Standing Committee Members
Lisa McBride, Chair, Diversity Standing Committee
Jennifer Brooks, Black Chamber of Commerce of Fort Worth, TX
Shanna Combs, Obstetrics and Gynecology Clerkship Director
Shanice Cox, Medical Student, 2nd Year
Chase Crossno, Assistant Artistic Director
Jamie Gonzalez, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Fort Worth, TX
Christopher Gilbody, Director for Financial Education and Scholarship
Karim S. Jamal, Assistant Director of Clinical Skills
Rohan Jeyarajah, Chair of Surgery
Charna Kinard, Medical Student, 2nd Year
Paige Miller, Medical Student, 1st Year
Clare Shaffer, Clinical Skills Educator
Carlos Tapia, Director for Admissions and Enrollment Operations
Sophie Trinh, Pan-Asian Chamber of Commerce
Jerome Wilcox, Director, Diversity and Inclusion
Hongli Wu, Associate Professor
Ex-officio members
Lani Ackerman, Professor and Director Clinical Skills
Jennifer Allie, Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Development
Danika Franks, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs
Marcel Kerr, Assistant Dean of Assessment and Quality Improvement
Joanna Leuck, Assistant Dean for Curriculum and Co-Director, Immersion
Erin Nelson, Assistant Dean of Admissions and Enrollment Services
Kelly Pagidas, Chair of Medical Education