The Rise in Violence against Asian Americans amid COVID pandemic

Protestors outside of the Massachusetts State House demand action from their representatives. Source.

 In addition to the onslaught of economic and social problems the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the forefront in America, a surge in racism and xenophobic behavior towards Asian Americans has largely been ignored. Since the start of the pandemic back in March 2020, the Stop Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Hate group has reported a sharp increase in racism and discrimination against Asian Americans. Having received more than 2,800 first-hand reports of anti-Asian hate across the nation, the racism and violence being directed towards Asian Americans has led advocacy groups such as the AAPI to call upon leaders to step up for the Asian American community.  

The rise of Asian American hate has been especially evident in urban areas with large Asian American populations such as California and New York, which has led local law enforcement to be more cognizant of the threat Asian Americans are currently experiencing. Several attacks against vulnerable groups within the Asian American community have surfaced in recent news, most notably against the elderly. This includes the assault of a 91-year-old man in Oakland’s Chinatown, assault and killing of a Thai main in San Francisco, and the assault of a Filipino man with a box cutter in New York. While these crimes have not been officially labeled as racially motivated hate crimes, those close to the victims and advocating against the senseless violence claim that these attacks have had expressly racist intent. Advocates for the Asian American-Pacific Islander community are calling for more to be done to address the rising violence.

Hate and violence against Asian Americans has been developing for months since the pandemic began, leading experts to insist that racist insecurity and fear among Americans is to blame for the increased discrimination and xenophobia. In the past, there is a long history of diseases and outbreaks being used to rationalize xenophobic behavior, and the current pandemic reflects that historic trend. With political leaders such as former President Trump using targeted language such as referring to COVID-19 as “China virus” and directing blame towards the Chinese government, Asian American groups have become the scapegoat in the crisis. With the normalization of anti-Asian xenophobia by political leaders, anti-Asian attacks are running rampant, leading the Asian American community to fear for its safety. 

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have worked hard to respond to the concerns of the Asian American community, with President Biden signing an executive order on January 26condemning racially motivated attacks against the AAPI community and directing federal agencies to combat xenophobia. President Biden’s actions towards the AAPI community differs from former President Trump’s anti-Asian rhetoric and places blame on the federal government for perpetuating these xenophobic sentiments and stigmas. Vice President Harris also spoke out against the recent increase in attacks, tweeting that “Hate crimes and violence against Asian Americans and Asian immigrants have skyrocketed during the pandemic, that’s why out Administration has taken actions to address these xenophobic attacks. We must continue to commit ourselves to combating racism and discrimination.” Biden and Harris have both expressed their concerns about tackling this racial problem. Removing anti-Asian rhetoric and condemning racially motivated violence against Asian Americans are not the only steps needed to reduce the threat Asian Americans currently face, but it is a step in the right direction.