Asian hate crimes on rise
- Mafalda Oliveira
- Apr 26, 2021
- 2 min read
Updated: May 2, 2021
New data has revealed over the past year, the number of anti-Asian hate incidents is greater than previously reported.
In May 2020, U.N Secretary General Antonio Guterres said “the pandemic continues to unleash a tsunami of hate and xenophobia, scapegoating and scare-mongering” and urged governments to “act now to strengthen the immunity of our societies against the virus of hate.”
Nearly one year on, communities worldwide say the situation hasn’t improved, with many countries reporting spikes in hate crimes. For many, the pandemic has only amplified longstanding and violent racism toward Asian people.
In recent weeks, celebrities and influencers have spoken out after several disturbing incidents that occurred in the U.S went viral on social media.
Here are some of the recently reported attacks:
An 84-year-old Thai immigrant in San Francisco, California, died last month after being violently shoved to the ground during his morning walk
In Oakland, California, a 91-year-old senior was shoved to the pavement from behind
An 89-year-old Chinese woman was slapped and set on fire by two people in Brooklyn, New York
A stranger on the New York subway slashed a 61-year-old Filipino American passenger's face with a box cutter
Several Asian Americans home owners say they've been abused with racial slurs and had rocks thrown at their houses
Although the pandemic has highlighted the prevalence of anti-Asian racism, it’s part of a long history of exclusion, mistrust and stereotyping of the community. Asian communities have dealt with decades of structural discrimination and racism, including racial profiling, discrimination in the workplace, and poorer health outcomes than their white counterparts. Many have pointed out that racial violence against Asian citizens often goes overlooked because of persistent stereotypes
about the community. “There is a stereotype and an assumption that Asians have class privilege, that they have high socioeconomic status and education, and that any discrimination doesn’t really happen or feel legitimate,” says Bianca Mabute-Louie, a racial justice educator.
The acts of violence over past weeks have rightly shocked the world´s conscience. But by mobilizing social and political forces to embrace minorities, protect the vulnerable, and promote respect, we can roll back this tide of violence and build a safer, more unified society.
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