Standing in Solidarity: A Frank Conversation About Anti-Asian Hate Crimes

Friday, April 16, 2021

11:00 AM-12:00 PM

In this panel discussion, we will address the rise of anti-Asian hate crimes through a conversation grounded in the experiences of Asian and Asian-American students, faculty, and professional staff members in the Drexel community. In addition to learning from the experiences of our panelists, we will also explore the history of anti-Asian bias and violence in the United States.

The event will include a brief overview defining key terms, specifying the Asian and Asian-American groups that are impacted by the recent rise in violence, and summarizing the history of anti-Asian violence in the United States. This will be followed by the panel discussion framed around troubling issues like the "model minority" myth, microaggressions, objectification of Asian women, and cultural and generational nuances. Strategies and resources for allyship and how to get involved will be provided.

Rebecca Clothey, PhD, Associate Professor and Director of the Asian Studies minor program, will kick off the discussion, which will be wrapped up by Kimberly Gholston, Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer at Drexel University.

Panelists:

• Amina Fong, Political Science and Communications Major, College of Arts and Sciences, Pennoni Honors College and co-conference chair, Asian Student Association
• Vera Lee, EdD, Associate Clinical Professor of Literacy Studies and Department Chair of Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum in the School of Education
• Sandra Parks, MFA, Assistant Teaching Professor and Dance Program Director, Westphal College of Media Arts and Design
• Subir Sahu, PhD, Senior Vice President for Student Success at Drexel University

Moderator:

• Patience Ajoff-Foster, Executive Director for Diversity and Inclusive Culture, Office of Equality and Diversity