Dr. Xu: Statement on Anti-Asian Discrimination, Hate Crimes

Casual headshot/portrait of Yaoying Xu, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Counseling and Special Education.
Yaoying Xu, Ph.D. (Photo by Kevin Morley)

The International Educational Studies Center (IESC) of Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Education stands in solidarity with Asian and Asian American communities in the United States of America. We are deeply outraged about the increasing incidents of attacks and harassments toward Asians and Asian Americans since the outbreak of COVID-19, including the recent horrific attack in Georgia which resulted in the murder of eight people and the brutal attack on a 65-year-old immigrant near Times Square in broad daylight. We denounce any types of discrimination, racism, and hate crimes. We affirm our commitment to Education Beyond Borders by promoting and supporting a safe and healthy community for people from all over the world.

The IESC is committed to fostering an educational community that encourages dynamic intellectual dialogues among all stakeholders who are responsible for the education of all individuals from diverse backgrounds. The IESC holds zero tolerance toward any forms of injustice and violence. We believe it is our collective responsibility to dismantle anti-Asian racism and all other forms of racism. As educators and educational scholars, we have no choice but to fight against discrimination, violence, and injustice in our schools, communities, and the society.

Yaoying Xu, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Counseling & Special Education
Director, International Educational Studies Center