March 18, 2021

Dear Longy students, faculty & staff,

Today we mourn the loss of eight people killed in Atlanta, victims of an apparent anti-Asian, racist hate crime. This tragedy occurs during a year that has seen a dramatic rise in discrimination, vitriol, and violence towards Asians. This includes acts of intimidation and hate in the communities that are close to home and that surround our school.

Longy is committed to racial equity. We will not tolerate hate in any form. We believe in the power of artistic and social connection and we honor the humanity of all people. Together, we will ensure the voices of those who remain targeted in our society are heard. We stand in solidarity with our many students, faculty, staff, and alumni from the Asian, Asian-American, and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities, and with all who feel violated, rejected, or fearful in the wake of these crimes.

We are here to support our community. Longy students may contact any of the Deans, your Department Chair, or Student Services for information on all the resources available to you.

Hate has no home here.

Yours,
Karen Zorn
President

The Longy School of Music is situated upon the traditional lands of the Massachusett people, alongside those of the Wampanoag, Narragansett, and Pawtucket nations. The arrival of European colonists in the 16th and 17th centuries brought colonization, genocide, and disease to these lands. We acknowledge this history and commit to fostering a future of visibility and equity in our work.