Dr. C. Aujean Lee, Regional + City Planning Professor, recently published an article in the Journal of Planning Education and Research on government-issued responses to anti-Asian hate crimes during the COVID-19 pandemic. The article, titled “A Typology of Local and State Government Responses to Racism: A Case of Anti-Asian Hate in the COVID-19 Pandemic,” examines 50 states and 104 of the largest municipalities. Dr. Lee, along with co-author Dr. John Arroyo, found that the majority of jurisdictions issued no response to anti-Asian hate crimes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The study developed a typology of racist, race-neutral, and anti-racism to categorize the responses that did occur. Of the responses that did occur, they included race-neutral language. The study offers recommendations on how public institutions can develop anti-racist language to protect their constitutents and promote more inclusive and safe communities.
Read the article’s abstract and find a link to the full article below. Congratulations to Dr. Lee on her publication!
Abstract:
We examine local and state government responses to anti-Asian hate during the initial months of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the United States. Formal state and municipal government statements and websites were examined for fifty states and 104 of the largest municipalities using critical discourse analysis and racial formation theory to understand how government agencies racialized Asian Americans and reacted to their responsibility to address racism. We develop a typology of racist, race-neutral, and anti-racism to categorize the responses. Government statements are important for planners because they affect resident safety and willingness to report hate crimes.
Read Dr. Lee's full article by clicking the link below.
The Gibbs Design in Action Awards (GDAA) program, led by Dr. Wanda Liebermann, has announced its 2026–2027 funded student projects. The initiative supports design and research work that addresses social, cultural, and economic issues in the built environment through collaboration with faculty and community partners.
The OU Institute for Quality Communities (IQC) 2024 collaboration with the Historic Threatt Filling Station has been recognized in the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City's newly released Byways Report: The Scenic Route to Rural Prosperity – a story-driven publication exploring how road trip culture and place-based tourism can fuel economic growth in rural communities.
The Gibbs College of Architecture is pleased to announce that Camille Germany, Chief of Staff, has been named the 2026 recipient of the university-wide Jennifer L. Wise Good Stewardship Award.
