#StopAsianHate has become one of the most popular hashtags circulating the media today. In the wake of Robert Aaron Long, a 21-year-old white American, who shot dead eight people at three massage parlors in Cherokee County and Atlanta city. Six of those killed were women of Asian descent. The shooter has since been charged with eight counts of murder — four for each (Cherokee and Atlanta). The movement itself is to bring awareness to the injustices facing the Asian community, but this shooting is only the beginning. Since then, many people in the community have been targeted more often. Like the Black Lives Matter Movement, the popular hashtag shows that the Asian community is not alone in this fight for equality. Hate crimes regarding the community have been occurring on a global scale and remain an ongoing issue.
Where does this hate stem from?
Regarding the mass shooting that took place, what set many people off was the shooter claimed the race unmotivated him. And is not being charged with a hate crime. Despite this injustice, many including the mayor of Atlanta, Keisha Lance Bottoms, believe the mass shooting was an act of hate.
Another main issue regarding hate to this community is the Covid-19 virus. It has often been referred to as “The China Disease” and things of that nature, because of its origin from Wuhan, China.
The Abuse
Physical violence, as well as emotional abuse, has been taking place. Many of the victims are being targeted at places such as stores and on the street at night. Many of the victims also happen to be elderly. Many videos have surfaced on social media of the heinous hate crimes taking place. No one is 100% certain why the abuse has increased to an alarmingly high rate, but as stated previously, the covid-19 virus may be the culprit. Besides activism taking place online, marches in Los Angeles, California, have been on the up and up. Thousands. The “Stop Asian Hate” Rally took place on March 27 at Olympic Boulevard. The objective was to command the end of hate against the Asian community. Marches have also been taking place in Atlanta, where the surge of Asian Hate is overwhelming. Many killings have taken place in the Atlanta-are in the early days of March. The Stop AAIP Hate National Report states that there are four types of abuse occurring within this community:
- Verbal harassment
- Physical Assault
- Civil Rights Violations
- Online Harassment
The report also states, “Incident reports come from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Businesses are the primary site of discrimination (35.4%), followed by public streets (25.3%), and public parks (9.8%). Online incidents account for 10.8% of the total incidents.”
What can we do to make a difference?
For starters, recognize the biases happening within the community.
Be an ally.
Donate to organizations if you can.
Listed below are some resources to help make a difference.
- End the Virus of Racism
- Asian Mental Health Collective
- National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum
- Stop AAPI Hate
- GoFundMe page
- [Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC]
It is never too late.
