Anti-Asian Hate

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          Over the past year, the pandemic has served to heighten already existing anti-Asian racism all over the world. With the virus being said to have originated in China, Asian people are suffering from hate and even violence. A torrent of anti-Asian hate crimes have been committed, including the brutal assault of elderly Asian men and women in broad daylight. Among them is 65-year-old Vilma Kari, who just last week in New York, according to the criminal complaint, was told “F**k you, you don’t belong here, you Asian”, before being pushed to the ground and kicked repeatedly by her attacker.

          The shootings at three Atlanta-area spas have left six Asian women dead. Nearly 3,800 hate incidents have so far been reported to Stop AAPI Hate over the course of a year. It feels as if there’s an open season for violence against Asians.

          By using terms like “China Virus” and “Kung Flu,” former US President Donald Trump gave the coronavirus a face, an Asian face, and for that, Asian people have all suffered. While his damaging rhetoric has no doubt fueled these hate crimes, their roots are buried deep in underlying racist currents that have long impacted our communities in the United States. We need to bring an end to hate and racism, as a society.