Today we stand together in pain and loss, in solidarity with our Asian American colleagues, friends, family, fellow citizens and human beings. 

There is no denying the impact of the shooting this week in Atlanta. Regardless of what we learn about the shooter’s intent, we must acknowledge the toll that hate and violence is having on Asian American communities, especially as it comes on the heels of nationwide and local reports of increasing violence against Asians. The painful reality is that racially motivated violence against Asians is not new. It is past time we do whatever we can to make this stop.

The study of civil society organizations is at the heart of PACS’ mission. And civil society organizations have been at the center, historically, of efforts to guard and promote the civil rights of all people, and especially of those targeted by hate and violence.

We must speak out against violence. We must stand by our colleagues and friends who feel threatened and vulnerable.

PACS, as a part of the wider Stanford community, is committed to action through our research, teaching and allyship with our community partners on and off campus. We can report anti-Asian hate incidents to organizations like Stop AAPI Hate. We can support local AAPI businesses and groups like the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum. We can uplift and invest in AAPI voices and organizations in philanthropy and the social sector and do our part to address the racist narratives and unjust systems that harm AAPI communities and other communities of color. 

Persistence is the only way we have ever succeeded in realizing lasting change. We must stand against racism in all its forms. Everyday. Everywhere.

In solidarity,

Stanford Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society