Over the past few years, there has been a whirlwind of anti-Asian hate and rhetoric emerging from around the world. From derogatory slurs to real-life physical violence often caught on camera and watched millions of times over on social media, Asians have become the target of senseless hate crimes that have left many feeling scared and marginalized. The reasons for this increase in hatred towards Asians are complex and multifaceted, but one thing is clear – it is essential to stop anti-Asian hate and rhetoric in our community, country, and the globe.
It is crucial to recognize that anti-Asian hate and rhetoric are not new phenomena, Asians have been subject to racism and discrimination for decades, with many incidents going unreported or unnoticed. Our speaker, Kiran Bhalla of AAPI Equity Alliance cited many examples of anti-Asian situations such as the Japanese internment done by President Franklin D. Roosevelt during to WW2 to older examples such as the Jeanie Jew story about her grandfather M.Y. Lee who was murdered in the late 1800’s during anti-Chinese riots that plagued the times.
Fast-forward to today, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought this issue to the frontlines of public consciousness. Since the virus originated in China, many people have wrongly blamed Asians for the pandemic and used this as an excuse to spread hate and bigotry against them. During my time in the Legislature, which also coincided with the Pandemic, I heard firsthand accounts from constituents about anti-Asian hate pointed at them. In 2022, our office selected Seniors Fight Back as our CA non-profit of the Year. Seniors Fight Back was founded in May 2021 in Southern California by a passionate group of individuals that wanted direct aid to help the AAPI community amid rising anti-Asian hate crimes — particularly against the elderly. Since then, they have provided training and resources to 1700+ seniors and others of various age groups. I am glad to see similar types of groups form from the devastation that our community has experienced.
The impact of anti-Asian hate and rhetoric is full spectrum. It affects not only those who are directly targeted but also their families and communities. Because of this, Asians are made to feel unsafe and unwelcome in their own diverse community, leading to a sense of isolation and anxiety. This can have long-lasting psychological effects.
Stopping all hate is not just a matter of basic human decency, it is a matter of community responsibility. We should recognize that anti-Asian hate and rhetoric are symptoms of a larger problem: racism and inequality in our community. So, what can we do to stop anti-Asian hate and rhetoric?
Speak out against hate when you see it. We all have a responsibility to call out hateful speech and intolerance when we see it. We have the responsibility of teaching our children the proper way of treating others: treat others the way you wish to be treated. We have a moral responsibility to stand up against hate.
Educate ourselves. It is important to learn about the history of racism and discrimination against Asians, and to understand the root causes of anti-Asian hate and rhetoric. It is important to clarify and understand who the real antagonist is in these situations so that we can work together to stop the destruction that they perpetrate.
Advocate for policy change and impact change through elections. We need to advocate for policies that promote equality and justice for all. This can involve lobbying our elected officials and getting more involved at your local level. If you do not see the action for change from your elected representatives, then you have a duty to stand up for what is right and challenge the status quo. Through advocacy and political engagement, we can work towards addressing systemic issues caused by our government and promote policies that we believe will foster a better society. By doing so, we can help create a world where everyone can thrive and enjoy their lives peacefully, absent any type of oppression.
We need to work towards creating a society where all feel safe and free to be themselves. We must stand up against hate, ignorance, and racism and work towards creating a world where all humans are valued and respected members of society. By doing so, we can create a brighter future for everyone.
The views and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author and do not reflect the views or positions of CAUSE or the CAUSE network.
Written by Stephen Nguyen, Leadership Institute 2023 Fellow
The CAUSE Leadership Institute (CLI) for professionals is a 6-month-long certificate program that prepares and equips mid-career professionals with the tools, skills, and network to lead and advocate for the Asian Pacific Islander community.