Open Letter: From the United States to India
The recent attacks on several individuals from India, including two engineers, Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani, which left Srinivas dead, has shocked not only the nation of India, but people across the United States. Those of us at U.S. schools, colleges and universities, who work with students and colleagues from India, are horrified and sickened by these acts of violence. We mourn that the life and bright future of Srinivas Kuchibhotla was extinguished by the hate and ignorance of one man.
There is another part to this story, however: Ian Grillot, the 24 year-old American who willingly placed himself in harm’s way and took three bullets attempting to save the lives of two strangers. This part is important not only because of Grillot’s incredible bravery in the face of evil, but because his understanding of the value of all people, regardless of nationality or race, reflects the true nature of United States citizens; not the singular acts of hate by a tiny minority. The subsequent donations of over $735,000 in support of the victims’ families were a stunning testimony of that nature and a clear message that Americans will stand up to hate.
Srinivas’s belief that “good things happen in America” is a belief shared by Americans and those who make America their home. The vast majority of people in the United States welcome the presence and contributions of immigrants, international professionals and students in their communities. Over the past month, that support has blossomed into powerful action across our nation. This action included protests against discrimination and visa bans, rallies to support immigrants and refugees, and written statements from university presidents and chancellors to our international students to let them know that all are welcome here. Elected officials at the state and local levels, as well as judges, have acted successfully to stop executive orders that could negatively impact international students and immigrants.
We who send this letter of condolence and support to the families of Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani work with Indian and other international students and colleagues. We visit India; we get to know and care about your students and families. Their success is our success; their wellbeing is a responsibility we feel privileged to undertake. We believe passionately in the value of international education as a bridge to peace and antidote to hate. We see this on a daily basis as we observe American, Indians and other international students interact. With this mutual interaction, fear and negative stereotypes break down, cultural exchange occurs, and understanding of our shared humanity results.
We cannot bring back Srinivas Kuchibhotla; we cannot undo the injury to Alok Madasani and others, or the pain their families are experiencing. We can, however, attempt to honor these sons of India with the promise that we will redouble our efforts to highlight the beauty of Indian society in all of its diversity; to warmly welcome our Indian colleagues and students, and to make our institutions and communities places that are safe.
The United States is stronger, not weaker, because of the creativity, culture and contributions of our immigrants and international students from India. We welcome you to the U.S. and ask that you not let hate win.
To the families of Srinivas Kuchighotla and Alok Madsani and all who have been affected by these singular acts of hate: We stand with you in this hour of grief and mourning.
We love you and we are proud that #YouBelongHere.
Sincerely,
Marie Whalen, Whitworth University
Syed K. Jamal, Branta LLC, Inc.
Jenna Sices, Southern New Hampshire University
Johanna Fishbein, UWC of South East Asia
Kristin Dreazen, Edvice London
Betsy Morley, Albion College
Jeannie Jaworski, Carroll University
Sue Gandy, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Catharine Cashner, Mount Mercy University
Beck Taylor, Whitworth University
David Ayers, San Diego State University
Greg Orwig, Whitworth University
Ruby Bhattacharya, Harvard Graduate School of Education
Linda Kim, University of California, Irvine Division of Continuing Education
Marybeth Gruenewald, ECE, Inc.
Jennifer Wright, American International Recruitment Council
Katherine Thompson, Community Colleges of Spokane
Eric Weinhold, Ithaca College
Amber Longtin, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Andy Borst, University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign
Wendy Bigler, International School of Asia Karuizawa
Erik Williams, University of California – Santa Barbara
MacKenzie Hizon, Southern New Hampshire University
Beryl Meiron, Cambridge English
Jennifer Brook, Foothill and De Anza Colleges
Anne Payne, University of Oregon
Lin Larson, University of California – Berkeley
Anne Sjostrom, Duke University
Roger Bendall, International Education Forum
Evie Elderkin, Study USA Group
Jessica Sandberg, Temple University
Renait Stephens, Study in the USA
Kristoffer Toribio, Orange Coast College
Gavin Hornbuckle, American School of Brasilia
Patriece Campbell, Millersville University
Krista LaVack, State University of New York at Potsdam
Jodie Cavanaugh, Southern New Hampshire University
Jessica Stern, University of California – Irvine
Hillary Banks, American International School
Tony Roach, Ellucian
Adam Wu, University of La Verne
Megan Mankerian-Stem, Creighton University
Molly Witt, University of Vermont
Patricia Wrobel, Binghamton University, State University of New York
Kim Caroline-Strange, International School of Lausanne
Michelle Kowalsky, Western New England University
Rebecca Hansen, Northern Kentucky University
Thomas LePere, Educational Consultant
Laura Kaub, Yale Young African Scholars
Jane Stagg, Study in the USA
Amanda Poppe, University at Buffalo (SUNY Buffalo)
Candice Chan, Furman University
Travis Drageset, Study in the USA
Trish Bruno, Study in the USA
Debra Prvanovic, University of Pittsburgh
Louann Rizor, Study in the USA
Megan B, Binghamton University
Jonnathan De La Fuente, University of Michigan-Flint
Dana Brolley, University of Washington – Bothell
Wesley Costa, Study in the USA
Sherif Barsoum, New York University
John Eriksen, Bryant University
Matthew Peipert, The Evergreen State College
Sonali Hutchison, International School Dhaka
Amy Daly Gardner, Clark University
Nathan Jones, Temple University
Jennifer Privette, Study in the USA
Eve Florin, Study in the USA
Julia Bovee, Bellevue College
Tracy Christensen, Whitworth University
Jon Stauff, Monmouth University
Ishan Gauli, Whitworth University
Kenley Jones, University of Redlands
Mike Hock, Academy for EducationUSA
Shawn Greenfield, Washington State University
Becky Konowicz, Santa Clara University
Jon Maes, Tacoma Community College
Sutthichok (Gao) Linprasert, ACE-EducationUSA Chiang Mai
Belinda Wilkerson, Steps To The Future, LLC
Daniela Hurrle
Ray Marx, Colegio Americano de Quito
Parke Muth, Parke Muth Consulting
Anna Wise, Towson University
Danielle Kanclerz, Eastern Michigan University
Sara Thurston, Kansas State University
Sandra Halladey, Study in the USA
Irene Gazali, Study in the USA
Beth Greene, Study in the USA
Raj Nandan, KIC
Maya Tsai, Gwynedd Mercy University
James Newman, Tacoma Community College
Kate Neimeister, UC Irvine Division of Continuing Education
Ryan Glowacki, New York University
Marjorie Smith, University of Denver
Samantha Deleon, Benedictine University
Nunana Nyomi, Council of International Schools
Lynne Warner, University of Denver
Gloria Chyou Crawford, InitialView
Clay Hensley, College Board
Jennifer Kenyon, Oklahoma City University
Gina Ellison, University of Denver
Simon Hamlin, Study in the USA
Kathy Garrett, Garrett College Consulting
Kim Cho, Western Michigan University
Rita Tepper, Ramapo College of New Jersey
Jessica Choquette, Valparaiso University
Karen Ekman-Baur, StudyHorizons: International University Advising
Kelsey Howard, Roosevelt University
Rebecca Nunley, West Virginia University
Sarah Ma, West Virginia University
Susan Call, Southern New Hampshire University
Hadda Estrada, Community Colleges of Spokane
Jamie Kanki, NYU Tandon School of Engineering
Raymond Lutzky, New York University Tandon School of Engineering
Laura Buhs, University of Denver
Sarah Wambe, Concord University
Douglas Allen, Daniels College of Business, University of Denver