A statement against Anti-Asian racism

From NSCC President Don Bureaux

Mar. 25, 2021 – Statement

NSCC stands in solidarity with our Asian students, colleagues and community members.

The recent mass shooting in Atlanta — that claimed the lives of eight people, six of whom were Asian-American women — has ignited a conversation condemning the pervasive, misogynistic acts of violence against Asian people, including here in Canada.

As an institution, NSCC strongly values diversity, equity, inclusion and human rights. We fully condemn racism, all forms of discrimination and sexual violence, and we will not stand silent on this issue.

Our community

Many members of the NSCC community have been deeply affected by this recent event. What’s more, throughout the pandemic, blatant acts of Anti-Asian racism and violence have surged across Canada and around the world. Anti-Asian hate crimes have risen by over 700% in some Canadian communities (source PDF 1.7KB | Government of Canada source).

Historically and today, Asian Canadians play a vital role in the development and growth of our province and our country. Their vast contributions are woven into the fabric of our communities, yet Anti-Asian racism has a generations-deep history.

This must stop.

If you’ve been impacted by this — mentally, emotionally, or spiritually — I urge you to access the supports that are available for students and staff of the College.

Make a difference

We all must do more to actively combat and eliminate racism. Individual and collective action can and will make a difference.

• NSCC Libraries has developed a resource guide on allyship and anti-racism that can be part of your action-orientated toolkit.
• The Chinese Canadian National Council, along with its partners, has created a website and report (PDF 7.4MB) to help tackle the legacy of Anti-Asian sentiment in Canada, which has been exacerbated by the pandemic.

Together, we must lead change and create communities where everyone feels safe, valued, seen, heard and included.

NSCC Human Rights and Equity Services, the new Centre for the Advancement of Educational Equity and Belonging and the Centre for Teaching and Learning are working together to ensure NSCC is one of these communities.

Collaboratively, these teams are working to dismantle barriers to inclusion in learning, amplify voices, build equity and create opportunities that deepen understanding and inspire change across our institution.