Statement against anti-Asian violence

Statement by the Yale Psychology Department Committee on Diversity and Inclusiveness and the Committee on Racial Equity and Justice

On behalf of the Yale Psychology Department, we denounce the increasing instances of bias, violence, and hate crimes toward Asian and Asian American individuals, both in the United States and in other countries.  In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, we are concerned with the real and devastating implications of hateful anti-Asian rhetoric in national and international discourse.  We recognize that anti-Asian prejudice is one form of systematic racism that continues to operate in our nation and in all its institutions. Indeed, the type of scapegoating of Asian and Asian Americans we are witnessing in the wake of the pandemic is a stark reminder that old stereotypes and tropes often re-emerge in times of crisis, endangering the health and well-being of members of our community.  We ask all to stand in solidarity with members of our community who are experiencing this and other forms of racism and xenophobia. We must remain vigilant to the many ways that anti-Asian prejudice and bias affect us and continue working as a department to identify effective and actionable ways to address this and all forms of prejudice, stigmatization, and racism. 

As always, the Committee on Racial Equity and Justice and the Committee on Diversity and Inclusiveness are available to listen to and raise any concerns from our community (crej.yalepsychology@gmail.com; psych.diversity@yale.edu, or anonymously here). Please find resources additional resources at Yale for addressing incidents of discrimination or harassment below: