The following message was issued on March 17 to our campus community by Heidi Kim, Director of the UNC Asian American Center:
Dear friends,
It gives me great sorrow to write to all of you again about anti-Asian violence, but I wanted to reach out in the wake of last night’s shootings. As I’m sure many if not all of you have heard, eight people were killed and more were wounded at Asian American-owned businesses in Fulton County, Georgia. Six of the victims were Asian American. Coming on top of the targeted violence elsewhere, this is frightening and enraging. Atlanta has been a new hub of Asian American life in the South in the last decade, so this feels especially close to home.
In this moment, I want to repeat the sentiments I expressed in my previous letter: The Asian American Center is here for you, because our community stands together. I’ve been greatly moved that this morning I woke up to messages from many leaders and colleagues around the university, inquiring about our safety and well-being and offering solidarity.
Please remember that in addition to Counseling and Psychological Services and the Employee Assistance Program, the AAC’s website has a resources page of hate crime reporting mechanisms and student-curated mental health resources. We will continue to look for ways to support each other through these horrific crimes and also keep celebrating the richness, diversity, and history of Asian America—because that work doesn’t stop either.
Best wishes,
Heidi Kim
UNC Asian American Center (AAC) director
- Read the previous letter on this issue.
Our website now offers resources on reporting hate crimes and mental health.