We would like to express our solidarity with our Asian-American and Pacific Islander colleagues and friends whose communities have been subject to a rising tide of racist attacks, especially over the past year. The recent shooting of eight people in Atlanta, six of whom were of Asian descent, is particularly tragic and troubling.
As I tweeted last year in the wake of the George Floyd killing: “Racism and bigotry have no place in any civilized society!!!” The DCP Family strongly condemns all acts of discrimination and aggression directed at ethnic minorities and other marginalized groups in our society. We call on everyone to eschew discrimination in all its forms and to boldly challenge the ignorant proponents of hate, prejudice and xenophobia in our nation.
Finally, we grieve with all those who have lost loved ones in all acts of violence, including the latest mass shooting in Boulder, CO. We pray for your comfort and strength at this difficult time, and hope that both governments and citizens will take the necessary steps to ensure that these violent acts stop.
Chimay Anumba
Dean, University of Florida College of Design, Construction and Planning