By: Vaibhava R.
Published: March 26, 2021
The current pandemic has impacted our lives in many ways. The economic fallout, increase in poverty, and deaths have all seem to be the main COVID-19 impacts we recognize. However, there are also many arising social issues we must take into consideration. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States has seen an uproar in anti-Asian hate crimes and discrimination.
First off, Asians of all different ethnicities are being targeted and attacked. People have developed the idea that Chinese people were the cause of this virus. However, Asian-Americans of all different ethnicities are victims of anti-Asian hate crimes. Even people of Korean, and Vietnamese descent have been attacked in public, as well as many elderly who are greatly affected. They are continuously addressed using racial slurs called racial slurs, told to “go back to where you came from”, spat on, and assaulted Physiologically, the hate crimes have affected the Asian community immensely.
Many fear leaving their homes or simply walking down the street in broad daylight. Anti-Asian hate crimes have increased by 149% from 2020 and 2021. This is ust when the average hate crime rate for all minority groups seemed to drop. There have been over 3000 anti Asian crimes committed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some include the recent , mass shooting in Atlanta in an Asian-owned spa which targeted Asian Americans, 8 people that were shot, most were Asian-American.
Before the pandemic, Asians have also faced oppression and have been victims to hate crimes. During the SARs outbreak, In Canada, Asian frontline workers faced similar treatment and were harassed and told that they were the cause of this virus. In fact, as a result of the xenophobia in the 19th century, the Chinese Exclusion Act was passed which essentially banned Chinese immigrants from coming to the United States for an entire decade.
In fact, another notable devastating event that occurred in the past, impacting the Asian community was the murder of Vincent Chin in 1982. Two white men accused Vincent Chin of stealing jobs in the auto industry and brutally beat him to death. These murderers only faced three years probation and were ordered to pay a $3,000 fine. Asian Americans have an immense amount of history and oppression that needs to be addressed and taught.
To support the Asian communities, it is crucial to stay educated about Asian American oppression and the current movement Stop Asian Hate. Donating, reading literature to learn about these issues, and protesting alongside the Asian community are all ways we can ensure we do our part in ending Asian hate.
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