During my time at NASA Ames in Silicon Valley, I’m proud to have written the first draft of the NASA Ames Director’s letter addressing the Asian American community’s concerns with anti-Asian violence. Occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was a period in which many were seeking an informed voice and perspective of the historical context of the attacks and community’s challenges. Thus, in collaboration with NASA’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Department, the initiative led me to also co-organizing two webinars on Asian American History for all NASA Ames staff. Driven by curiosity and support, over 100 staff members of all backgrounds attended each of the webinars. Below is the final version of the Center Director’s letter that went through NASA Public Affairs Office.

WE ARE ALL NASA AND WE ARE ALL AMES

Office of the Center Director

On March 19, Acting Administrator Steve Jurczyk echoed President Joe Biden’s statement condemning the ongoing crisis of gender-based and anti-Asian violence. He also noted that serious diseases such as COVID-19 commonly provoke fear and anxiety, leading to negative attitudes and beliefs toward people, places, or things related to minorities and other groups.

COVID-19 has brought to the forefront the longstanding challenges the Asian American Pacific Islander, or AAPI communities experience as the model minority – a myth painting Asians as successful and problem-free.

I want to reiterate and stand by the agency’s stance that NASA and Ames strictly prohibit and will not tolerate any unlawful discrimination including harassment and retaliation against NASA employees or applicants on the basis of race, national origin, or any other protected equal employment opportunity basis. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion – not just because it is required by law, but because it is the right thing to do.

In acknowledging a community whose struggles have often been overlooked, the NASA Ames Asian American Pacific Islander Group emphasizes that staying silent can unintentionally perpetuate the neglect and injustices felt by the Asian American community. In the words of Yuri Kochiyama, Asian American civil rights activist, “Our ultimate objective in learning about anything is to try to create a more just society than we have seen.” AAPIAG believes that all individuals should exhibit respect and appreciation of our differences by empowering one another to use words and actions to embrace diversity and promote positive change in our communities.

From my own personal perspective and experience as a second generation Asian American, I know that my parents immigrated to America searching for a better life for themselves and future generations. They also told me about their own attempts to assimilate under the concept of a melting pot, and to blend into society in fear that differences weren’t always fully appreciated and valued. Today, I am thankful and fortunate to work for an agency and center that fully values and embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion, and the differences that we all bring to public service. As an organization that is fundamentally innovative and dares to do those things that we have never been done before, we need the passion, and commitment that each and every one of you bring.

As we pursue missions that benefit humankind, Ames stands in solidarity with our AAPI employees who contribute both to the agency’s and the center’s diversity, ongoing operations and research, and success of its missions. In adhering to our core value of inclusion, each one of us plays a role in nurturing our community with empathy and understanding and contributing to safe spaces at Ames.

As we continue to process the difficulty of this moment, we acknowledge the concerns and pains experienced by members of our community. For more immediate support, I encourage you to reach out to our Diversity and Equal Opportunity staff, center advisory groups, management team, ombuds office, and union. The Employee Assistance Program is available for civil servants. Many companies have similar services, and contractors should contact their employers for details about their benefits. Reach out to your managers and teammates if you need support or time to process.

Eugene Tu, Center Director