Stop the Violence and Hatred Against Asians: 10 Things We Can Do

It is scary to be Asian in America today with the increase of anti-Asian racism. I was heartbroken to hear of the shooting deaths of 8 people in Atlanta including 6 Asian women. Violence and hatred against Asians in America and beyond is on the rise with 3,800 hate-related incidents in the U.S. reported from all 50 states during the pandemic. And it's likely that the numbers are much higher as many more incidents go unreported.

As an Asian American, I worry that I or someone in my family could be targeted. I was born in the U.S. but have been told to go back to my country. One day, while unloading my recycling at my rural township hall facility, a waste hauler looked directly at me with a scowl on his face and started backing his truck up pretty fast and almost ran me over. I had to jump out of the way.

I grew up working in my family's Chinese restaurants and cannot imagine how the virus has affected Chinese restaurants today. In addition to losing revenues from shut downs, some customers are avoiding Asian-owned establishments over unfounded fears of contracting the virus. Some Chinese restaurant staff are even receiving death threats and other forms of harassment. A dead cat was left at an Asian-owned butcher shop in California and their staff have been attacked, forcing them to hire a security guard.

Calling COVID-19 the "Chinese Virus" or "Kung Flu" is inherently racist and attributing this devastating outbreak to a race of people has generated much hatred and violence against Asians. People are being murdered, beaten, robbed, insulted, coughed and spat-on simply because they are Asian. I decided to write this piece as a means to stand with all people who are subjected to hatred because of their race, ethnicity or the color of their skin.

The Black Lives Matter movement is closely tied to what is happening to Asians, as people of color face violence and systemic inequities at the hands of people who believe themselves to be superior. At times like this, we must all stand up, speak out and take action--because in silence there is complicity. Below are suggestions for supporting the Asian community, but many of these can also be applied to support black, indigenous, people of color (BIPOC) communities.

Here are 10 Ways that People Can Help:

1. Learn more about the history and roots of racism against Asians in America.
2. Be an ally to Asian American communities.
3. Denounce Asian hate on social media.
4. Share this post and add your comments.
5. Report any Incidences of Asian Hate and share this website with others that have been affected and encourage them to report their experiences.
6. Lift up the voices of your Asian friends and colleagues. Challenge Asian stereotypes.
7. Highlight the positive contributions of Asian-Americans and Asians in America in your social media posts, school reports, presentations, and anywhere you can.
8. Talk with your Asian friends and colleagues. Ask how they are doing and if they have felt threatened. If so, listen. And find ways to support them and to be an ally.
9. Donate in support of Asian communities.
10. Support Asian-owned businesses (especially restaurants) in your community--in addition to suffering from significant revenue cuts during the pandemic, many have also experienced additional income losses due to anti-Asian rhetoric.