Anti-Racism Statement
The rise in Anti-Asian racism, which has increased over 700% (i, ii) in the past year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has put valued members of our community at risk. There is zero tolerance for racism in our community and the Department of Microbiology and Immunology stands against all forms of racism and discrimination. We call for solidarity in creating a respectful and safe environment for all of our students, faculty, staff, researchers, and guests.
We encourage all members in our department and community to take action by continuing to respect, support, and value each other’s voices and experiences by:
- Prioritizing equity and diversity
- Be willing to engage in and learn from tough conversations
- Giving people time to grieve and process feelings
- Touching base and checking in on each other
Together, we can create a safe space for everyone where they are valued and heard.
Anti-Racism Support Resources (AMS) – Mental health, safety, and educational resources from the UBC Alma Mater Society, who seeks to ensure that anti-racist action is intersectional and actionable.
Anti-Racism Resources (Asian Studies) – Links to resources, news stories, opinion pieces, and scholarly articles on race in Asian, or in Asian diaspora communities.
Please reach out to any member of the EDI committee if you have any questions or concerns or ideas on how to improve the support in our community: