In my initial message to all of you about racial understanding last summer, I referenced violence not only against members of our Black community, but also a significant rise in hate crimes and hate speech against the Asian community. Sadly, that violence and hatred has continued and recently increased across the U.S. and Canada.
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen an increase in violence, discrimination and harassment toward Asian Americans and Asian Canadians. In the last few weeks alone, many in the Asian community, in particular the elderly, have been the victims of murder, assault, vandalism, and online and verbal harassment.
RSM has a strong history of focusing on diversity and inclusion, and we do not tolerate discrimination, harassment or racism of any kind. We strongly condemn any and all forms of violence and xenophobia. We stand in solidarity with the Asian community and our InspirAsian employee network group (ENG) against these racially motivated hateful acts that have transpired recently across the U.S. and Canada.
I encourage all of us to embrace our culture of understanding and inclusion, and to reach out to colleagues who may be hurting as a result of these recent tragic events in the Asian community.
I also want to remind you that our ENGs serve as places of connection and healing where our firm’s values are discussed and shared. In addition, one of RSM’s benefits offered to all employees, Modern Health, provides a digital platform for well-being. It has a new resource for the Asian community to address the recent upsurge of anti-Asian racism that has occurred during the pandemic.
I thank everyone for your ongoing commitment to racial understanding, to advancing diversity and inclusion at RSM, and to helping create a more equitable society. We are working on our courageous conversation schedule and other racial understanding activities for the coming fiscal year. If you have feedback or topics you would like to discuss, please feel free to reach out to me, Tracey Walker, national culture, diversity and inclusion leader, or your ENG leader at any time.
Sincerely,
Joe
