On March 17, 2021, the global community learned of eight people, including six Asian-American women, killed in shootings at three spas in Atlanta, Georgia. Humber College stands in solidarity with Asian communities against all forms of violence, misogyny and discrimination. At Humber, we are committed to providing an environment free of harassment and discrimination for all.

Xenophobia and violence against Asian people are not new to Canada and incidents of anti-Asian violence have increased across the country in the last year. We must continue to condemn these incidents of violence and senseless loss of life, along with the hate and discrimination that underlies it.

COVID-19 has shown how small the world is and how closely we are all connected. Rather than using the pandemic to fuel hatred and violence against people based on their race or gender, now, more than ever, all Canadians must unite to combat these issues and support one another through challenging times.

In previous messages, I have reaffirmed that Humber stands firmly against all forms of racism, discrimination and hate. Yet, sadly, I am writing about it once again.

We have often said that the diversity of the Humber community is one of our greatest strengths and we will continue to work together to create campuses that are equitable, diverse and inclusive for all.

The Centre for Human Rights, Equity & Inclusion (the Centre) advances Humber’s commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) through its educational programs and legislative compliance. On March 24, 2021, the Centre is pleased to welcome Avvy Yao-Yao Go, LL.B., LL.M. Clinical Director of the Chinese and Southeast Asian Legal Clinic to facilitate a workshop on anti-Asian racism and the implications for Humber College. The workshop will provide a historical context of anti-Asian racism in Canada, highlight the current manifestations of it and discuss the role Humber can have in addressing anti-Asian racism. Please join us as we continue to build a strong and inclusive Humber.  

I also want to remind students and staff that support is available for those who may need it.

• If you are looking for mental health counselling, you can contact the Student Wellness and Accessibility Centre for support.
• You can also connect with the Centre for Human Rights, Equity and Diversity.
• If you would like to access services outside of Humber, below is a list of mental health services that support racialized communities:
  • Across Boundaries
• GoodToTalk (1-866-925-5454) is a 24-hour mental health support for Post-Secondary Students in Ontario.
• Staff may also access Employee Assistance Plan services.

Let’s work together to support an inclusive learning and working environment in which all Humber community members are welcomed, respected and supported.