Dear colleagues and community members:

 

This week, we’ve witnessed yet another hateful, murderous act in a sharp rise of racialized violence against Asian Americans. Although I want to believe the Atlanta shooting is an isolated act perpetuated by a singularly crazed individual, our collective work to understand and combat racism and oppression in America teaches us differently. We know these acts are connected: they result from intolerance cultivated by fear mongering; white supremacy and “othering”; and a history of violence against others perceived as “different” and not white. With this backdrop, and with another stark reminder of the deadly consequences of continued inaction to fight white supremacy, we have urgent work to do together to create the inclusive community we aspire to become.

 

At Northwest Regional ESD, we are learning to become antiracists. We are committed to educating ourselves—and taking action—to extinguish racism, violence and hatred in our digital (and soon to be physical) classrooms, meeting rooms and hallways.

Our schools and communities must be places for children and adults to learn, grow and thrive: Now…we must work together to support our Asian American and Pacific Islander students, families, staff and community members. We must speak up against and report discriminatory acts of harassment and violence.

As we prepare to return to in-person learning, it is vitally important that our students and staff know they are returning to safe, nurturing and inclusive schools. I ask that you take time to check in with students and families and to listen to their concerns. I am asking our staff to review the resources below—and to plan classroom activities using the All Students Belong training modules to interrupt racism in our schools.

We stand with our Asian American and Pacific Islander students, staff and families. I know our educators and community leaders will not be silent and will support our communities of color—and I commit to you that racism and oppression will not go unchecked at the Northwest Regional ESD.

In solidarity-

Dan

Dan Goldman
Superintendent
Northwest Regional ESD

 

 

 

 

Resources:

• You can report hate incidents at the Oregon Coalition Against Hate Crimes. Stop Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Hate is a national resource for reporting hate incidents.

• Resources for learning and understanding perspectives and ways to support Asians, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders:
  • APANO Responds to the Shootings in Atlanta
  •  Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta’s Community Response
  •  National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum’s Statement
    
    
• Thank you to Beaverton School District’s Asian/Asian American Affinity group for curating these resources to share with students and families:
  • Project Lotus: Local Asian American Student-led Program - Project Lotus destigmatizes mental health issues in Asian-American communities by tackling the model minority stereotype through culturally-relevant education for the community and the empowerment of voices. Project Lotus advances the movement for Asian-Americans to be able to discuss, care for and advocate for mental health freely, without shame or stigma.
  • Lines for Life: Racial Equity Support Line - Whether in small acts or violent ones, racial bias can have serious emotional impacts. Racism changes how we see the world around us. It’s stressful to worry about how people see us as different or dangerous. It’s exhausting to notice the ways that people treat us as less-than, day in and day out. It’s heartbreaking to turn on the news and learn about more violence against people who look like us. The Equity Line is answered by BIPOC counselors, Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
  • Asian Health and Service Center - AHSC provides a safe and culturally sensitive place for Asians who seek mental health care. It’s a culturally competent and linguistically appropriate service that is offered in Cantonese, English, Korean, Mandarin and Vietnamese. All staff members of the mental health program are multilingual and multicultural professionals who have extensive experience in the field. AHSC accepts Oregon Health Plan.

• All Students Belong training modules to help educators build confidence in interrupting racism.