A Message from the Chancellor Against Anti-Asian Discrimination

St. Louis Community College strongly condemns recent acts of racially-motivated harassment, intimidation, verbal and physical attacks, and microaggressions against our fellow Asian and Asian American community members. During the current COVID-19 pandemic, STLCC has joined efforts worldwide to mitigate its spread, addressing our students, employee, and College partners' needs to compassionately help many whose lives and livelihoods have been disrupted.

Yet, some have seized this moment to tear at the fabric of the human community. The pandemic affecting us directly or indirectly is global, untethered to any locale, ethnicity, region, continent, or hemisphere. This public health emergency, during which we practice social distancing, should not be exploited to foster racist division and ethnic scapegoating that separates us as human beings. We are all in this together. And we will eventually overcome this together. STLCC reinforces our commitment to ensure that we create a welcoming environment.

We stand with and support all Asian and Asian American residents of St. Louis City and St. Louis County and against anti-Asian discrimination. They should not be subjected to "cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or acts of violence"—a violation of their human rights.

Sincerely,

Jeff L. Pittman, Ph.D.
Chancellor, St. Louis Community College