Opinion | Faculty member responds to anti-Asian violence, discrimination

Law professor Dr. John Hall sent the following message to his students March 18.

John Hall, professor in the Dale E. Fowler School of Law

I wish to write a few words concerning the marked rise in anti-Asian and anti-Asian American violence, intimidation and harassment in America, and to fully recognize the emotional impact this is having on many of you in this class. I wish to address this and make clear that your grief and concerns are heard. I also wish to make a few personal comments about the role that we can all have.

First, and I want to be absolutely 100% clear when I say this: all forms of racism are unacceptable in my classes. Anti-Asian bias, harassment and comments will not be tolerated. I will not hesitate to report any complaints I receive to the law school for proper investigation and resolution. Racist behavior has no place whatsoever in my classes. Ever. This is consistent with my core values.

We are all aware of the unprovoked assaults on older Asian Americans for no reason other than their race and vulnerability; the rise in hate incidents, shunning, slurs and physical attacks, reflected in the data released by Stop AAPI Hate on March 16. And now we have the mass murders in Atlanta, following which a white sheriff commented that the 21 year-old murderer had “a really bad day." These events have properly gained national attention and have left many Asians and Asian Americans feeling unsafe.

The foundation of anti-Asian racism is historic and complex. The rise of bigotry and hatred-fueled public discourse is hardly a new phenomenon. Indeed, the normalization of casual anti-Asian humor, the embedded racist stereotypes and tropes and the intersectional sexism and racism faced by Asian women, all have a long history in America. Anti-Asian bias and discrimination has too often been ignored, not responded to and erased from popular (non-Asian) memory. 

The layers of bias have been met with indifference and even humor by many non-Asians. Politicians have legitimized bias through rhetoric like the “China virus" and "Kung Flu." It is the familiar and well-worn path towards humiliation, objectification and ultimately dehumanization.

In saying this, I want to be clear that I am not attempting to minimize the suffering of other traditionally marginalized and oppressed groups. Indeed, the shopping-list of victims of discrimination is depressingly familiar to all of us. As a nation, we are engaged in a long-overdue and difficult discussion about the nature, impact and consequences of historic systems of discrimination dealing with race, gender, sexual orientation, immigration status, ethnicity, class and identity. 

The suffering caused by all forms of discrimination is palpable, the harm evident and multi-generational. But this may be a time when we all — particularly those of us who are not Asian — should thoughtfully reflect on the experience of Asians and Asian-Americans and the vulnerability and fears faced at this time by these groups.

Silence is not an option with any real likelihood of creating positive change. Instead, stand up and speak out. Take time to engage your empathy, kindness, acceptance, love and support. Reach out to others, particularly those in need, those marginalized, those often silenced.

This is a conversation that your generation is in so many ways leading. The awareness, passion, empathy, engagement and sensitivity of young people is remarkable. Use your education, your promise and your energy to build a better future. Use your legal training, your skills and the opportunities your legal career will offer to work for a better world.

Do good. Protect the powerless. Engage empathy. Reach out to others. Speak up on behalf of those unable to do so.