AERA Joins Scientific Community to Endorse Congressional Resolutions Against Anti-Asian Discrimination Related to COVID-19


For Immediate Release: April 23, 2020

Contact:
Tony Pals, tpals@aera.net
(202) 238-3235  

Tong Wu, twu@aera.net
(202)238-3233

AERA Joins Scientific Community to Endorse Congressional Resolutions Against Anti-Asian Discrimination Related to COVID-19

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 23, 2020The American Educational Research Association (AERA) has joined with 49 other science organizations to endorse congressional resolutions condemning anti-Asian discrimination related to COVID-19. 

In a letter to the four sponsors of Senate and House resolutions, the organizations wrote, “Our societies have been concerned by news reports that individuals of Asian ancestry are increasingly subject to stigma, physical attack, or suspicion due to the potential origins of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.”  

The letter continued, “These actions are wrong and unacceptable for their racial overtones, their impact on societies and individuals, and run counter to the core values of the scientific community and the members we represent. As scientists, we know viruses respect no borders, and originate and evolve worldwide.”

Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY) announced the introduction of a resolution in the House of Representatives on March 25. Sens. Kamala D. Harris (D-CA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) plan to introduce a resolution in the Senate. 

In their letter, the scientific organizations applauded these resolutions to denounce anti-Asian discrimination related to COVID-19.

“Today, we stand united in a spirit of diversity and inclusion and offer our support for people of Asian ancestry, rejecting efforts to ascribe fault for the pandemic, and instead urge a focus on leveraging global human diversity to solve today’s public health crisis,” the letter said. “We encourage global leaders and the public to recognize and tap global diversity as one of our greatest assets to solve the global pandemic, including the vital role of U.S. researchers of Asian ancestry and those worldwide.”

AERA and other 49 organizations said they will “urge our members to use their prominent voices to support this resolution; denounce these trends; support more research worldwide, including directed to the issues emphasized in your resolution; and stress the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion.”

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About AERA
The American Educational Research Association (AERA) is the largest national interdisciplinary research association devoted to the scientific study of education and learning. Founded in 1916, AERA advances knowledge about education, encourages scholarly inquiry related to education, and promotes the use of research to improve education and serve the public good. Find AERA on FacebookTwitter, and Instagram.