Jesuit Colleges and Universities Condemn Acts of Hatred Against Asian Communities in the U.S.

BY ISN STAFF | March 18, 2021

Over the last year amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Asian communities in the U.S. have experienced an increase in targeted, often violent discrimination stemming from hateful rhetoric from American politicians and others. This was witnessed this week in the hate crime in Atlanta. 

Jesuit colleges and universities have issued statements condemning xenophobic and racist actions and speech, and have reconfirmed their commitment to the ongoing work of building safe, inclusive, welcoming campus communities. A sampling can be found below. 

Creighton University: Rev. Daniel S. Hendrickson, S.J., Ph.D., President [Letter to Campus Community]

“We stand in solidarity with many across our nation, in love and support, in strongly condemning these heinous acts of hate and violence.”

Fordham University: Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., President [Full Statement]

“The University condemns in the strongest possible terms the use of hateful rhetoric and violence against people of Asian descent, and the xenophobic and racist thinking which underlies those attacks. 

It is especially in moments like this that we should enlarge, rather than shrink, our circle of compassion. Being people for others emphatically does not mean “only others whom we deem worthy.” I want to believe that we are making progress in this sphere, however fitful it may seem, and that more and more people of goodwill are finding their voices and opposing ignorance and bigotry wherever they find it. Because that is what we are called to do, my friends: called by the Gospel; called by our loved ones and friends; and called by the better angels of our nature.”

Georgetown University: John J. DeGioia, President [Tweet]

“We are called to be in solidarity with our Asian American students, faculty, and staff—to affirm our care and support for one another, and to continue our work, here at Georgetown, to sustain a community that is inclusive, welcoming, and respectful of people of all backgrounds.”

Gonzaga University: Thayne M. McCulloh, D.Phil., President [Full statement and Tweet]

“The horrific massacre of at least eight people in Atlanta last night is only a most recent instance of violent acts perpetrated against Asian-American, Asian and Pacific Islanders in these United States. We must do more to fight racism in this country.”

Loyola Marymount University: Timothy Law Snyder, Ph.D., President and Thomas Poon, Ph.D., Executive Vice President and Provost [Letter to the Campus Community and Tweet]

“LMU prays for the victims in yesterday’s horrific shootings. Violence and anti-Asian discrimination have no place in our home.”

LMU also hosted an event on Wednesday, March 17 entitled Understanding Anti-Asian Discrimination and Strategies to Confront It: A Group Dialogue with Vivian Bang, Ashley Kim and Kathleen Kim. The event was hosted by the Loyola Law School Anti-Racism Center, Office of Student Affairs, and the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association. 

Loyola University Chicago: Jo Ann Rooney, JD., L.L.M., Ed.D., President [Statement]

“Violence, hatred, and racial slurs are unacceptable, and we commit to doing our part to protect and affirm the Asian community within Loyola. As a community of faith, we will also use our voice and influence to advance respect, inclusivity, justice, and dignity for all members of society.”

Regis University: Rev. John P. Fitzgibbons, S.J., President [Letter to the Community]

“This nation is already in the grips of a surge in anti-Asian hate, fueled largely by racists and provocateurs seeking to blame all Asians because the pandemic may have originated in a Chinese province. Hate crimes targeting Asians are up 150 percent in the past year. It is frightening for everyone but especially for those who have been targeted simply for their nationality or color of their skin. We cannot allow this to continue.”

John Carroll University: Tiffany Galvin Green, Ph.D., Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Edward J. Peck, Ph.D., Vice President for University Mission and Identity [E-mail to the campus community]

“We write today to invite all members of the JCU community, those who hold AAPI identities and those who do not, to join us in our commitment to working more intentionally to ensure that we are doing our part to eradicate bias and discrimination of all kinds, especially towards those who have experienced an additional layer of injustice and mistreatment in our current times.”

College of the Holy Cross: Rev. Philip L. Boroughs, S.J., President [Message to campus community]

“I want our Asian and Asian American community members to know that we stand firmly with you. We see and condemn the injustice, racism and violence perpetrated against you, we hear you in your fear and pain, and we stand with you in our collective outrage. We are here for you.”

Has your school issued a statement or resources that you’d like for ISN to include here? Please email [email protected] with information. This story was last updated on Friday, March 19, 3:25 PM EDT.

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