‘You are an essential part of our DeKalb family’: DeKalb School Board issues statement of solidarity for Asian Americans

DeKALB - DeKalb District 428 school board officials released a statement this week expressing solidarity with Asian American students and families in light of a recent shooting in Atlanta, Georgia which left eight people dead, including six women who were of Asian descent.

The statement was read Tuesday by Board President Sarah Moses and emailed to district families Thursday morning. The full statement is below:

“Like all of you, we were horrified and saddened by the recent violence in Atlanta, which took the lives of eight people, including six women of Asian descent.

These incidents come in the context of a broader, deeply disturbing trend of racism and violence that we’ve seen around the country.  This scourge of anti-Asian racism is not new; there has been an alarming increase in violent and xenophobic acts since the pandemic began.

To our Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander students and staff, we want to reaffirm our unwavering support:  You are an essential part of our DeKalb family, and we stand with you in your grief and alarm over the recent attacks, and against the racist acts that are on the rise.  

Racism and hatred have no place in DeKalb.  These tragic events reinforce the urgency of actions we are taking across the board to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion.  Our strength comes from embracing our diversity and all that our varied perspectives and backgrounds bring to our community.

In the light of recent events, we call on each of us to rededicate ourselves to these ideals and to support our Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander community members.”