School of Music Statement of Solidarity with Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander Communities
Over the last few weeks the U of SC School of Music Community has been profoundly saddened by the rise in violence against Asians, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders across the country. The nation, our state, and our university are acknowledging and confronting the hurtful and life-threatening impact of racism, sexism, and xenophobia in our world. Violence against Asians, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders is the poisonous fruit of a long history of racism and xenophobia in this country that has been horrifically exacerbated over the last year by misinformation and racist fearmongering in response to the COVID-19 global pandemic. Members of our School of Music family have been personally impacted by the brutal mass shootings in the Atlanta metro area this past March and we are working to support and hold space for them as they grieve and seek justice. The School of Music stands together with them in expressing our outrage, denouncement of violence against Asians, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders, and our dedication to the cause of achieving justice for all through inclusion, equality and equity.
Members of our Carolina music community stand by the words in the Carolinian Creed that actualize a community invested in equity and justice for all: I will practice personal and academic integrity; I will respect the dignity of all persons; I will respect the rights and property of others; I will discourage bigotry, while striving to learn from differences in people, ideas, and opinions; I will demonstrate concern for others, their feelings, and their need for the conditions which support their work and development.
The School of Music is dedicated to working with our university leadership, President
Robert Caslen, Provost William Tate, and Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion
Julian Williams to actively advance action on behalf of fairness and the safety for
all of our community members but especially our Asian American, Pacific Islander and
international Asian students, staff, and faculty. We are currently engaging in self-reflection,
dialog, and planning to manifest and inspire lasting change through performance events
and virtual round table discussions. We encourage others to do so and join us in our
musical and awareness raising efforts as they emerge over the coming weeks and months.
Forever to thee.
Tayloe Harding, Dean of the School of Music
Birgitta Johnson, Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
School of Music Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee