There are no words that can adequately address the pain caused by the tragedies in Monterey Park, Half Moon Bay, Oakland, and many other communities, present and past. Now, and in the coming days, the executive board of the Asian Faculty and Staff Association calls on the entire university community to be particularly mindful of the emotional weight that each of us is bearing, given these and related tragedies. Check in with each other, extend grace, and give space when it is called for. We heed the words of Buddhist teacher Thich Naht Hanh, who reminds us not to turn away from suffering, but to instead be present with it, to sit with it, to understand its roots and causes, so that we may liberate ourselves and our communities from suffering in a lasting and transformative way.

The AFSA executive board is collaborating with the Cross Cultural and Gender Center to hold space for all those processing this grief. However, please feel free to reach out to any of us directly if there are other ways we can support you in these times.

-The AFSA Executive Board

• Earl Aguilera, president
• Ah Ran Koo, vice president
• Chia Thao, treasurer
• Rohit Mehta, secretary
• Isabella Lo, fundraising/recruitment chair
• Seng Alex Vang, historian reporter
• BoNhia Lee, public relations chair
• Diana Chandara, technology chair
• Shimel Her Saychou, student liaison chair
• Gaonoucci Belle Vang, activities program chair