Statement of solidarity with UTDRO's Asian Community - Dr. Rodin

March 29, 2021

To the UTDRO Community:

We are sad to be writing – yet again – about hate. On March 16, 2021, eight people were murdered in Atlanta, Georgia. Six of them were Asian women: Xiaojie Tan, Daoyou Feng, Hyun Jung Grant, Soon Chung Park, Suncha Kim, Yong Ae Yue.

Over the last year, Canada has witnessed a wave of racism and xenophobia directed toward the Asian community. Since the start of the pandemic, the Chinese Canadian National Council reported over 1,000 occurrences of racism against Asian Canadians, and 60% of those victims were women.

To our students, faculty, and staff of Asian descent, we stand with you. Racism—overt or hidden—has no place in our Department.

We are committed to providing a clinical and learning environment that celebrates our diversity. To any members of our community who have witnessed or experienced any acts of bias or discrimination, we want to support you. I am personally always here to serve as a confidential sounding board or resource to anyone in the Department experiencing these issues.

The Anti-Racism and Cultural Diversity Office (ARCDO) at UofT also addresses disclosures and reports of harassment and discrimination. Their contact information can be found here: https://antiracism.utoronto.ca/help/

The ARCDO is also hosting several events over the next week on confronting anti-Asian racism that I encourage you to attend: https://antiracism.utoronto.ca/anti-asian-racism/

Strong leaders raise people up by taking a stand against racism, hate and aggression of any form. Let’s work together to create an inclusive and anti-racist culture within UTDRO. We know that we have our work cut out for us. If you have suggestions on things we can do better, we want to know.

Dr. Danielle Rodin
Director, Equity, Inclusion and Professionalism
UTDRO