NJASL Condemns the Attacks Against the Asian American Community

The New Jersey Association of School Librarians joins organizations and individuals around the country and world in condemning the racism, xenophobia, and acts of violence that have been perpetrated against Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander individuals and communities. We are saddened by the injustices we have seen happening throughout the nation and recognize that there is an abundance of work to be done.

We support the statement issued by the Asian/Pacific American Library Association (APALA) on March 3, 2021. As an organization comprised primarily of educators, we recognize the power of education in reversing the rise of discrimination and violence against people of the global majority.

We thank APALA for curating this list of COVID-19 Anti-Asian Racism Resources for K-12 and urge all members to explore and utilize these resources. As a community of school librarians, we strongly believe that representation matters. We understand that it will take an even greater effort on our part to support our students in their development as global citizens and support all students in our schools and libraries.  We will continue to use books and a variety of other information resources as powerful tools to encourage, inform, educate, and develop compassion in our students. 

NJASL reaffirms its commitment to broaden diversity in our membership, leadership, and professional development, listen and learn from our members and continues to encourage members to curate material that will enhance and celebrate equity, diversion and inclusion, and to speak out against hate. 

Beth Thomas

NJASL President

president@njasl.org

Dr. Ellen Pozzi and Karen Grant

Co-Chairs NJASL Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee

edi@njasl.org