My previous arrogance has now been humbled.
Yet, even at that time, I harbored a different fear—not of the virus itself, which merely disrupted my summer plans, but of the inevitable rise in anti-Asian sentiment. I anticipated that the Asian American community would once again face a wave of racism, just as we did during previous health crises.
The media would scrutinize our community with a lens that dehumanized us, depicting us as an inferior species, showcasing our cultural practices in a negative light, and labeling us as “bat-eaters” who engage in unsanitary habits. With rhetoric fueled by leaders like Trump, incidents of harassment against Asian Americans surged.
The spike in anti-Asian violence is alarming. In the past few weeks alone, over 20 attacks against Asians have been reported, with vulnerable groups—particularly the elderly, women, and small business owners in economically challenged areas—being disproportionately targeted.
Despite a clear uptick in violence since March 2020, media coverage remained scant until recently, likely prompted by the voices of prominent Asian American figures speaking out. Between March and August 2020, Stop AAPI Hate documented over 2,583 reports of anti-Asian incidents. A United Nations report from August 2020 highlighted more than 1,800 racist incidents targeting Asians in the U.S. during just two months. Notably, NYPD data revealed that anti-Asian crimes rose by 1900% in 2020, jumping from only one incident in the entirety of 2019 to 20 in the first half of 2020.
This surge has rightfully outraged and mobilized Asian American communities, reminding us of the historical patterns of scapegoating.
Anti-Asian racism is deeply rooted and not a new phenomenon. It predates the recent tragic attacks, including the killing of 84-year-old Vicha Ratanapakdee in San Francisco and the assault on a 91-year-old Chinese man in Oakland. It harks back to the 1982 murder of Vincent Chin, a Chinese American man killed in a hate crime, and even earlier incidents like the Chinese Massacre of 1871 in Los Angeles.
What we do not need is for white individuals, such as Oakland’s mayor, to create divisions between Asian American and Black communities. Fortunately, many activists from both communities are rejecting this narrative, recognizing that it perpetuates a harmful cycle of white supremacy that has historically pitted marginalized groups against one another.
Asian Americans need to resist the anti-Black narratives that are often pushed by white America. Offering bounties for information on attackers, regardless of their race, can escalate tension and harm relationships within communities. We must hold white America accountable for the systems of oppression that affect us all.
The underlying cause of the violence and discrimination we face is white supremacy, which does not discriminate based on the color of our skin but rather thrives on division and competition for scarce resources.
To truly support the Asian American community, consider the following actions:
- Engage with Local Organizations: Find and support community organizations that work on behalf of Asian Americans. Your time and resources can make a significant difference.
- Broaden Your Perspective: Seek out diverse voices within the Asian American community. We are not a monolith, and understanding our varied experiences can enrich the conversation.
- Educate Yourself on History: Learn about both Asian American and Black histories to understand the context of our struggles and foster solidarity.
For individuals interested in supporting Asian Americans, consider exploring more about home insemination and its related topics on our blog, as well as resources from Intracervical Insemination and the detailed overview provided by Wikipedia on In Vitro Fertilization.
Search Queries:
- Asian American hate crimes statistics
- How to support Asian American communities
- Understanding anti-Asian racism
- History of Asian American discrimination
- Community organizations for Asian Americans
In summary, the rise in anti-Asian hate crimes during 2020 reflects a troubling pattern of scapegoating and racism that has historical roots. It is crucial for all communities to stand in solidarity, confront systemic racism, and work towards a future where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.