Dear Pitt Business Community: Since the beginning of the pandemic, our nation has witnessed a surge of senseless violence, hate crimes, and bias incidents against Asians and Asian Americans. The events that took place in Atlanta, Georgia last week are an all-too-familiar reminder that there is so much more work to be done in our country. I stand in solidarity with the leadership of our University in condemning anti-Asian racism in all of its repulsive manifestations. In the wake of the brutal killings of eight innocent people, we must do our part to overcome deep-seated prejudices, educate ourselves to become better allies, and ultimately shift the narrative to embrace equity and inclusion. As a dean who was a former international student, I am also very sensitive to the impact on our international Asian students. We owe them, and must ensure, a safe and inviting learning environment. Together, we have to do better—as a school, as a University, and as a country. As we come together in grief and in support of the Asian and Asian American communities, please remember to lean on each other and consult the resources available to you across the University.
In solidarity,
Arjang
Arjang A. Assad
Henry E. Haller Jr. Dean
372 Mervis Hall
3950 Roberto Clemente Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
412-648-1556 │aassad@katz.pitt.edu
Resources: Asian Studies Center
Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (OEDI)
Make a Report to OEDI