RCCD Recognizes Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

This month we celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. As I have considered the contributions and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, my appreciation for their endeavors continues to increase. I recognize that their culture and labor have contributed to US history and continue to be instrumental to the nation's success. Unfortunately, I am also reminded how Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders continue to experience prejudice and hateful oppression in this country. 

A year ago, the Riverside Community College District Board of Trustees unanimously approved Resolution No. 52, a declaration denouncing racism and the despicable abuse of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. 

Although there has been a decrease in the rate of hate crimes reported in the last year, we know that many Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders simply don't report these experiences. A recent study by Momentive discovered that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have a distrust in the justice system and are less likely to report hate crimes due to fear of retaliation and unwanted attention. 

No group or individual should have to hide in the shadows and live in fear of racist hate.  

I hope that our institutions of higher learning can shed light on the disparate treatment of ethnic, cultural, and race-specific populations. We are expected to study, research and reveal the challenges - and the achievements of groups and individuals who feel unheard and unwelcomed in society. However, our calling is greater than that. I believe it is our responsibility as educators to not only examine history and expose disparities, but also, model and practice equity and inclusion. 

Last month, the District hosted the grand re-opening of the Center for Social Justice & Civil Liberties. Many of you know that Miné Okubo, a Japanese American and former Riverside City College student, was an artist and became a writer after surviving in the US incarceration camps during World War II. In 1946 she wrote Citizen 13660, a book including drawings and text, created to document the mid-20th century history of Japanese Americans incarcerated in the US. Her life's work is cataloged and housed in our Center for Social Justice & Civil Liberties. As we celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage month and think about justice-based struggles, I encourage each of you to explore and experience Miné Okubo's work and the exhibitions at the Center for Social Justice & Civil Liberties, now, and in the months and years to come.    

The colleges of the Riverside Community College District will continue to press forward with a united voice for inclusion, equity, diversity, and awareness. 

I hope to hear your voice in the chorus. 

Sincerely,
Chancellor Wolde-Ab Isaac