January 23, 2023
Dear Reed Students, Faculty, and Staff,
Lunar New Year should be a time of celebration and hope for a prosperous new year. Yet the events over the past few days have challenged us as a nation as we once again seek to understand senseless acts of violence.
As a Reed Community, we lend our support and care to students, faculty, and staff who share Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander identities. At this moment, I am reminded of the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., where he calls upon us to honor our shared humanity by showing compassion and advocacy. We have a vibrant and diverse Asian community, and we must continue to come together and support one another. To our Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander community members, you are not alone. There is an entire community standing with you.
Racial Battle Fatigue can impact how we care for ourselves and how we perform. Below are resources to engage in self-care and find ways to connect and be in community.
- Reed's Health and Counseling Center
- National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association (NAAPIMHA)
- South Asian Network (SAN)
- Multnomah County's Mental Health Call Center (503) 988-4888
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - Coping with Stress
- Reed College Employee Assistance Program and Human Resources
- Reed's AAPI Staff Affinity Group
If there are ways you'd like to build and be in community, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Office for Institutional Diversity to coordinate.
In community,
Phyllis Esposito
Vice-President and Dean for Institutional Diversity