Letter of Support for Bellevue College Asian American Studies

Mr. Gary Locke, President

Bellevue College

Bellevue, WA

Dear Pres. Locke,

OCA Asian Pacific Advocates of Greater Seattle is dismayed by the dismissal of Asian American Studies (AAS) classes in the Bellevue College 2021-2022 curriculum.  We are particularly stunned by this deliberate action to remove/render invisible the Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander American (AA&NHPI) communities since Bellevue College has a significant AA&NHPI student body.

In light of all the anti-Asian American hate in the United States, we particularly feel that this is the time to expand, not decrease and certainly not to eliminate Asian American Studies.  We feel that this is another anti-AAPI activity.  In fact, by getting rid of Asian American Studies, Bellevue College is demonstrating their noncompliance with the federal COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act.

You have received petitions, strong opposition from your Asian American student body and our allies, and a growing number of AA&NHPI organizations that are hearing about Bellevue College’s stunning dismissal of our concerns.

We understand that while the offerings of African American Studies, Latinx Studies and Indigenous Studies are maintained, only Asian American Studies has been eliminated.  We strongly support the maintenance of these important disciplines, but we resent the obvious attempt to employ colonial divide and conquer tactics to weaken us all. Should we expect the Cultural and Ethnic Studies “leadership” to tell us that by adding AAS classes, the other disciplines would be eliminated?  We are all too wise to fall for this nefarious scheme. 

We demand the following in solidarity with the concerned, attentive Bellevue College AA&NHPI students and their allies:

1. Full course offerings for Asian American Studies;
2. Dismissal of the leadership of Bellevue College’s Cultural and Ethnic Studies (CES) for their blatant lack of leadership for and their racism toward their AA&NHPI students;
3. Meeting with the Bellevue College Board of Trustees to discuss our grievances, demands and to apprise them of what is occurring on campus to the AA&NHPI students.

As the President of Bellevue College, an Asian American leader, we know you are aware of why Asian American Studies is so important.  Please do not allow your spineless, spiteful underlings to undermine your leadership, your students, and your community.

Sincerely,

Connie C. So

President, OCA Asian Pacific Advocates of Greater Seattle