EQUITY TEAM MESSAGE TO UNISON FAMILIES AFTER THE HATE CRIMES IN ATLANTA

March 18th, 2021

Dear Unison Families,

 

This week we find ourselves again processing the news of violence in America that is race-based.  

 

Most of the victims of this week's shooting in Atlanta have been identified as Asian women (https://www.npr.org/2021/03/16/978024380/8-women-shot-to-death-at-atlanta-massage-parlors-man-arrested. It is not lost on us that during this month that we celebrate the contributions of Women throughout history that there was an attack on Women.  It is not lost on us that in this year since COVID-19 has turned our lives upside down that there has been a radical increase in Anti-Asian attacks (https://www.npr.org/2021/03/10/975722882/the-rise-of-anti-asian-attacks-during-the-covid-19-pandemic).

 

As part of our mission to disrupt society's inequities, The Urban Assembly Unison School will continue to publicly denounce acts of white supremacy and racism. Additionally, as is Unison's mission, we are committed to teaching our students the truth - https://asiasociety.org/education/asian-americans-then-and-now.

 

As a school community, we are mindful of our role in providing a safe and nurturing environment for your children.  This means that each day we must be ready to help our students understand the world in which they live - with all its wonder and beauty and alongside that with its ugly and its violent truths too.  When faced with such tragedies, we are further motivated to teach our young people to be more affirming, more inclusive and to stand up against injustice, intolerance, and violence in its many forms.  

 

We stand with you as you navigate these conversations with your children.  Should you need any support, please do not hesitate to reach out to any member of our school community.  

 

Respectfully,

 

The Urban Assembly School's Equity Team

Arlette Barton-Williams

Ebony Ford

Emily Paige

Eric Berg

Johanna Josaphat

Lana Harwood

Rosie Orengo

Sara Carota