The abhorrent killing of eight people in Georgia last week — six of whom were Asian women — brings into strikingly high relief the deadly combination of discrimination directed at Asian and Asian American individuals and violence against women.  

The history of our country is replete with anti-Asian discrimination, pre-dating even the xenophobic and nativist Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, continuing through the World War II-era Japanese internment policy, and into the present day.  The dramatic increase in reported hate crimes against the Asian and Asian American community and in violence against women during the pandemic is evidence of our continued failure to eliminate violence rooted in misogyny, bigotry, ignorance, and hate.                

We recognize and condemn anti-Asian bias, discrimination, misogyny, and violence in all its forms.   

We acknowledge the trauma, grief, and anger experienced by the members of our university family and the broader community.  

We re-commit ourselves to anti-racism: to tear down barriers within our community, learn more, start conversations, open our hearts, heal our divisions, and create a more just and equitable society. 

We support efforts to prevent violence against women and to provide services for survivors. 

Texas Wesleyan takes reports of bias and discrimination seriously. Witnesses of such incidents are encouraged to fill out our online Bias Incident Response Report Form. 

If you or someone you know needs support, please reach out to the university's counseling center which is available to both students and employees at 817-531-4859 or twccc@txwes.edu. Students are also urged to contact the Division of Student Affairs at 817-531-4872, studentaffairs@txwes.edu, or careteam@txwes.edu. Faculty and staff may contact Human Resources at 817-531-4403 or hr@txwes.edu and access information about our Employee Assistance Program.

If you are interested in participating more in diversity efforts on campus, please email studentaffairs@txwes.edu.

During this time of isolation, it is particularly important to reach out to each other and support the members of our Texas Wesleyan family. 

Take care of yourselves and each other. 

Sincerely, 

Fred

Frederick G. Slabach
President
Texas Wesleyan University