Statement of Solidarity for Asian and Asian Pacific Islander Desi Americans

February 20, 2020

To the members of the Lyman Briggs College community, 

We, the members of LBC Inclusivity Committee, write to reaffirm our support and solidarity for our Asian and Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) students, faculty, staff and advisors. 

With news about the coronavirus (both true and false) continuing to spread, members of the MSU community have expressed fear, anxiety and concern. While this epidemic may be new, the racist and xenophobic discourse and images on the news and social media are all too familiar. We vehemently reject any efforts to mock, oppress, belittle, intimidate, or harass members of our community. Instead of stigmatizing or isolating some members of our community for coughing and sneezing (common occurrences in our cold season), spreading false information, or being a bystander by taking no actions, let us focus on expressing concern, care, and support for each other.  

To read the full statement released by the MSU Asian Pacific Student Organization, visit the Organization’s Facebook Page. 

For details about the Town Hall meeting this evening (02.20.20), visit https://www.facebook.com/msu.apaso/

For a reliable source of information about Coronavirus, visit https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

Sincerely,

The Members of the Lyman Briggs Inclusivity Committee