We Need to Take a Tougher Stance on White Supremacy

This past week recorded another dark page in the history book of racial violence in the United States.

As an Asian immigrant, I am, obviously, affected personally. My spouse and two American-born children are also of Asian descent as are many students, faculty, staff, and administrators at Seattle Colleges. I worry about the safety of my family members, and I wonder what messages of comfort I can offer to Asian students and colleagues who are anguished, furious, heartbroken, and afraid.

I am grateful for the statements issued by President Biden, Governor Inslee, Mayor Durkan, and for the resolutions passed by many organizational Boards.

That said, I believe that it’s important that we recognize racism, white supremacy, and misogyny as the ultimate perpetrators. This is why we need to take a stand against all forms of racism and discrimination; this is why we must embrace diversity, inclusion, and equity. Rather than debating why we need to do this work, we must shift to taking individual and collective actions to break the shackles of white supremacy, racism, discrimination, misogyny, and xenophobia.

In an educational setting like Seattle Colleges, we have even more urgent work to do: that is, to practice and role model, in the daily process of teaching, learning, and administrating, genuine respect for humanity in all shades, forms, and origins.  Racially motivated hatred and violence affect us all. We matter to each other.

Sincerely,

Shouan Pan
Chancellor, Seattle Colleges

March 22, 2021