In Response to Violence Against Asian Americans

Unfortunately, there has been an increase in violence and hate crime against Asian Americans nationwide, and we also acknowledge that this specific event involved gendered and sexual factors that reflect white male supremacy, lead to individual and community wounds, and activate historical trauma. The pain from the recent shooting and other incidents of racism and fetishization against Asian Americans may bring up past memories of trauma and racist abuse for some of us and also create concerns about safety for self or others. It is important to assure and seek safety if you are concern about it. Pain, anguish, anger, sadness, or disconnection might come up for some of us as we face racial trauma and pain, and we might experience difficulty dealing with some of these feelings or have worries about the future. Any feeling that you are experiencing is valid and could signal emotional and mental wounds. Healing from such traumas can take time, and we validate your need for safety as you face these hardships.

Attending to these feelings and seeking safety if you are feeling unsafe are very important. The Counseling Center is here to support you as you process these feelings, experiences of racism, or past trauma. At the same time, we would like to invite you to lean in to your cultural values, resources, and community as an important and valuable way of healing and coping with your feelings and experiences. Consider reaching out to your support system and use coping approaches support by your culture. Surround yourself with voices that understand and support you and set boundaries for those that inflict pain or perpetuate the racist system. We want to point to and challenge the systemic oppression and white supremacy that invalidate the importance of cultural resources and community. We at the UIC Counseling Center hope to continue our efforts to challenge the systemic racism and support our Asian American community and other individuals of color, and would invite our UIC community to join us in this ongoing effort.

For additional resources, please see below:

Action Ideas

Anti-Asian Bias Tools and Resources

Anti-Asian Harassment Bystander Training at UIC (Friday, April 9^th)

Additional Bystander Intervention Trainings

Legal and Social Services through the Stop Hate hotline: 1-844-9-NO-HATE

Report Hate Crimes against Asian Americans

Resource List Available in Korean

Safety Tips for Those Experiencing or Witnessing Hate

Stopping AAPI Hate Resources in English and Mandarin

The Cultural Impact of COVID-19