To Our Joslin Community:

Leadership and colleagues at Joslin Diabetes Center stand in support and solidarity with our Asian, Asian-American and Pacific Islander community at Joslin, in Longwood Medical Area and across Massachusetts and the nation, in the wake of so many recent acts of violence including the mass shooting in Atlanta.

I’d like to share a small excerpt of an email to Joslin staff, written by our Chief Scientific Officer Dr. George King whom many of you know, on his personal reaction to the Atlanta shootings and other anti-Asian American events:

“To be reminded that anti-Asian-American prejudice persists, and to face micro-aggressions such as being complimented on my ability to speak English so well, is as jarring today as when I was in high school.”

Dr. King’s willingness to share his personal reactions with us helps us all keep in mind that many of our colleagues and those we serve—whether they be of color, women, Asian or Asian-American, or other marginalized groups—have experienced some level of hate and aggression because of who they are. We want them to know that Joslin does not condone such behavior.

At Joslin Diabetes Center, we believe that:

Hate and violence against Asians, Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders is unacceptable at any level and at any time.

Hate and violence against Black people is unacceptable at any level and at any time.

Hate and violence against LatinX people is unacceptable at any level and at any time.

Hate and violence against people of different religions, including those of the Jewish and Muslim faiths, is unacceptable at any level and at any time.

Hate and violence, and persecution of, any people marginalized because of their race, nationality, religion, ethnicity, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity and belief system is unacceptable at any level and at any time.

Hate has no place at Joslin.

Sincerely,

Roberta Herman, MD
President and CEO
Joslin Diabetes Center