Following the tragic loss of life in Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay that took place over the Lunar New Year celebrations, Asian and Asian American student groups as well as Duke faculty and staff organized responses to support all who are affected by these tragedies.

On social media, while sharing information about the vigil scheduled the evening of January 30, the Asian American Studies Working Group (AASWG; on Twitter: @AASWG) published a thread expressing their thoughts and inviting members of the public to read or share art (poetry, narrative, or visual) as a means of collective reflection.

APSI's Director of Graduate Studies, Prof. Eileen Chow, encouraged students in the East Asian Studies, Critical Asian Humanities, and Asian Studies certificate programs to reach out and take advantage of resources that are available at Duke and can offer support in times of crisis. Specifically, she noted that Maij Vu Mai, Assistant Director and counselor at the Center for Multicultural Affairs, has been holding open office hours for anyone who would like to stop by at their space in the Bryan Center or in her Zoom office.

Although this AASWG vigil took place at a specific time on a particular day, resources to support students are available at all times. APSI encourages all students to reach out to faculty or staff for help in times of distress or concern. We are with you, and we are here for you.