Observing AAPI Heritage Month, TAMIU Presents Panel: "Addressing Asian Bias and Hate: Lessons Learned"

In observance of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) will present a virtual panel discussion that addresses the recent surge in anti-Asian hate reports in the United States.

The live virtual panel discussion, "Addressing Asian Bias and Hate: Lessons Learned," is Friday, May 28, from 2 - 3 p.m. The event is free and open to the public and will be presented on TAMIU's Facebook Site: https://www.facebook.com/txamiu

TAMIU panelists participating will be Dr. Barbara Hong, University College dean; Dr. Marcus Ynalvez, College of Arts and Sciences associate dean; Dr. Hongwei Wang, assistant professor of Mathematics and Physics; Dr. Wanzhu Shi, assistant professor, Department of Social Sciences; Dr. Fei Luo, assistant professor, Department of Social Sciences; and Dr. Lorissa Cortez, director of Title IX and Civil Rights.

The event is organized by TAMIU's Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity Committee (TIDE).

During the discussion, panelists will delve into questions about the current situation surrounding anti-Asian hate and bias and how this eventually affects those in the AAPI communities and people of all backgrounds. They will also explore the origin of recent reports and how everyone can become better informed and aware about this issue.

According to various media and non-profit reports, anti-Asian hate and violence has seen a marked increase over the last year. A New York Times report states that over the last year, people of Asian descent have been pushed, beaten, kicked, spit on and called slurs. Homes and businesses have also been vandalized.

Also, Stop AAPI Hate, a San Francisco-based nonprofit, said the number of hate incidents reported to its center increased significantly during March 2021. Types of discrimination reported included verbal harassment, physical assault, civil rights violations and online harassment.

On May 20, President Joe Biden signed a bill aimed at addressing the rise in anti-Asian hate crimes during the coronavirus pandemic. Known as the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, the legislation, introduced by Rep. Grace Meng, D-N.Y. and Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, designates a new position at the Justice Department that expedites the review of potential COVID-19-related hate crimes and incidents reported at the federal, state and local levels.

 Charged by the office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, TAMIU’s TIDE is committed to The Texas A&M University System’s normative principles of diversity, equity and inclusion. It is further committed to advancing the cause of these principles by pursuing cross-cultural exploration, inter-cultural relationship- building, and mutual learning and growth through events and activities that celebrate the unity of cultures in a democratic environment.

Besides AAPI Heritage Month events, past events TIDE has organized have included observances of Hispanic Heritage Month, African American Heritage Month, Arab American Heritage Month, Native American Heritage Month, LGBTQ Pride Month, Women's History Month, Irish-American Heritage Month and Jewish American Heritage Month.

For more information, on TIDE and its past and upcoming events, please contact Dr. Peter Haruna, TIDE co-chair, at 956.326.2613, email pharuna@tamiu.edu or visit TAMIU's Diversity and Inclusion site at www.tamiu.edu/diversity.