AWIS Speaks Out Against Anti-Asian Racism

Mar 23, 2021Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Shelley O’Brien
202-588-8175
obrien@awis.org

AWIS Speaks Out Against Anti-Asian Racism

WASHINGTON DC, March 23, 2021 – Last June, the Association for Women in Science (AWIS), issued a statement against systemic racism. In that statement, we focused on “Black women in particular [who] carry the burden of racism in everyday life as well as within workplaces and educational settings. It is critical that we as a STEM organization recognize their experiences and do not let them stand alone. By being silent, or proceeding as if it’s ‘business as usual,’ we are only perpetuating the harm of systemic racism.

We must again raise our voices to decry systemic racism. The murders in Atlanta last week targeted Asian women. The United States has a long history of anti-Asian racism, but the political rhetoric and ignorance about the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic over the last year have increased anti-Asian slurs and crimes and emboldened the people who perpetrate them.

We at AWIS will not dismiss the Atlanta crime as solitary episode. We know that many Asian Americans deal with racism daily – although it may not always be this visible or violent.

We will not ignore the headlines or look away because these shootings took place in a distant town or targeted specific venues. We will not blame the victims for their profession.

We must pay attention:

  • In 2020, reports of hate crimes against people in the Asian community grew 150% according to the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University at San Bernardino.
  • There have been 3,800 reported incidents of hate and harassment against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) in the last year, with Asian American women reporting 2.3 times as many hate incidents as Asian American men, according to Stop AAPI Hate.

We recognize the emotional toll these attacks have had on our Asian members, coworkers, neighbors, friends and family. We grieve with them, the victims’ families, and the impacted communities.

We will listen to and support Asian women in the STEM community as they share their fears, their frustrations, and their own encounters with racist, misogynistic behavior.

We encourage those in the scientific community to learn more about the lived experiences of members of the Asian community – including Asians, Asian Americans, South Asians, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders – to reject stereotypes, and to stand up to racist behaviors if you witness them.

Here is a short list of resources to get started:

AWIS will add more on the Antiracism Resources section of our website and pledge to continue advocating for a more inclusive, equitable, and safer environment.

Yours in Science and Social Justice,

Susan R. Windham-Bannister, PhD
President & Chair of the Board       
Association for Women in Science  

Sandra W. Robert, CAE
Chief Executive Officer
Association for Women in Science

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About AWIS: Founded in 1971, AWIS has been the leading advocate for women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to achieve business growth, social change, and innovation. We are dedicated to driving excellence in STEM by achieving equity and full participation of women in all disciplines and across all employment sectors. In addition to scholarships, AWIS provides career resources, professional development, as well as networking, mentoring, and volunteer opportunities to build leadership skills. To learn more, visit awis.org and @AWISNational.

 

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