During the summer, the Department of Pediatrics issued a statement in support of our Black residents, fellows, students, faculty, and staff as national headlines called our attention to racism affecting the Black community.
This week we are reminded of the horrendous impact racism has on people of Asian descent in this country. While there is uncertainty about whether the violent attacks in Atlanta that left six Asian women dead were racially motivated, what is clear from the report released this week by the Stop AAPI (Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders) Hate Center is that Asian Americans are being targeted by anti-Asian bias. Over the last year, the Stop AAPI Hate Reporting Center has documented 3,795 incidents of discrimination against Asian Americans. These acts of discrimination include verbal harassment, physical assault, and civil rights discrimination. They create a dangerous environment that leaves many Asian Americans vulnerable. Simply put, this is unacceptable.
The Department of Pediatrics remains committed to fighting racism and injustice. We support our residents, fellows, students, faculty and staff of Asian ancestry. We will continue to work for justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in our department and at UAB. We will continue to advocate for a community that is safe and inclusive. As individuals, we must support each other, examine and amend our own biases, and find ways to eliminate racism and inequities in our society. When the safety and dignity of one of us is threatened, the safety and dignity of all of us are in peril.
Mitch Cohen, M.D.
Chair
Department of Pediatrics
Smita Bhatia, M.D., MPH
Vice Chair for Outcomes
Department of Pediatrics
Michele Nichols, M.D.
Vice Chair for Education
Department of Pediatrics
Tina Simpson, M.D., MPH
Vice Chair for Faculty Development
Department of Pediatrics