The horrific killing of eight people— six of them women of Asian descent—in Atlanta, Georgia has left so many of us grieving and angry. I wanted to check in with you and to share some resources.
Hate crimes against people of Asian heritage have increased dramatically in the last year. Of the nearly 4,000 bias incidents and hate crimes reported to the organization Stop AAPI Hate between March 2020 and February 2021, nearly two-thirds of those attacks were on Asian women.
A significant number of bias incidents and hate crimes happen in schools, leaving Asian families and children more fearful about daily experiences and interactions with peers. It is our responsibility as leaders to ensure that everyone is safe and respected in our schools.
We also need to provide emotional support to all those who are struggling to cope with this week’s news. I hope the resources below will help you support your community.
Sincerely,
Donna Orem
President, NAIS
Resources
Combating Anti-Asian Bias
- Stop AAPI Hate
- Speaking Up Against Racism Around the Coronavirus (Learning for Justice)
- Countering COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Stigma and Racism: Tips for Parents and Caregivers (National Association of School Psychologists)
- Classroom Resources and Tips To Address Anti-Asian Discrimination (We Are Teachers)
Helping Children Cope with Tragedy
- Talking to Children About Tragedies (American Academy of Pediatrics)
- Promoting Compassion and Acceptance in Crisis (National Association of School Psychologists)
Responding to Tragedies of Violence
- Helping Kids After a Shooting (American School Counselor Association)
- Helping Children Cope with Terrorism–Tips for Families and Educators (National Association of School Psychologists)
Media Consumption
- Children and the News (American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry)
- Explaining the News to Our Kids (Common Sense Media)
- Helping Children Cope with Frightening News (Child Mind Institute)
Bias and Hate Crime in Schools and Society
- White Supremacist Propaganda Spikes in 2020 (ADL)
- Hate Crime Statistics 2019-2020 (Federal Bureau of Investigation)
- Hate at School Report (Learning for Justice)