Diversity should be celebrated, but unfortunately, many people are discriminated against because of differences, such as race, religion, and ethnicity. But why do we treat others differently? People are not born hating certain people, they get taught that. That means that we can love someone just as easily as we can hate someone. Acknowledge and embrace differences.
There have been an increasing number of attacks, physically and emotionally, against Asians. Don Lee, a community activist in New York, emphasizes that these acts of violence are hate crimes “Let’s call it what it is,” he said. “These are not random attacks.” There haven’t been many changes to defend innocent people, which are enraging Asian American leaders.
Every cruel thing said to a person of another race or ethnicity has led to a rise in racism and the spread of misinformation. For example, former President Trump referring to the coronavirus as the “China Flu” or the “KungFlu” fueled anti-Asian speech. Following this, Asian restaurants and businesses have been suffering financially during this pandemic because certain customers believe that they can catch COVID by simply eating Asian food. This prejudice and racism needs to end, so here are some ways you can help out.
How You Can Stop Asian Hate
Speak Up: If you hear someone make an unkind comment or witness an attack on another person, let them know it’s not okay. If you feel comfortable doing so, call out their actions and tell them that it will not be tolerated. You should be able to do this to strangers, peers, and even close family members. If you don’t know what to say, you could say something like: “Hey I’m not sure if you meant that as a joke, but what you said is not okay.”
Intervene: Step in to help the victim and ask if they need help. Disregard the attacker, and introduce yourself to the victim. Make sure they are safe before you leave the area. Something you could say is: “Hi, I’m Tom. Are you hurt? Do you need any help with anything?”
Reporting Incidents: There is a group called AAPI. It stands for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. They track hate incidents and help support victims, no matter who they are. You can visit the AAPI website by clicking https://stopaapihate.org/.
Support Groups: Your neighborhood/area probably has several local groups of its own. Often community groups will hold solidarity events or fundraisers to support victims of hate. You can find the groups of support in your area just by searching “Asian American solidarity groups+" your area.
Educate, Then Spread: Go online and educate yourself on anti-racism. Watch this PBS Video series about the history of Asian racism or read this, which is an article about firsthand experience of being an Asian and having to cope with hate and discrimination. Once you are well-educated, spread the knowledge, whether it’s on social media or face-to-face. Use the hashtag #StopAsianHate and teach those you know about how they can help out.
Correct False Information: If you are scrolling on social media and you see a post that says something about COVID-19 being related to Asians, or Chinese people, then leave a comment stating that it is fake! You could say, “Actually, that’s not true. COVID-19 doesn’t choose its victims based on race or nationality.”
Remember, it may not be easy, it may not be fun, and it definitely may not be what you want, but speak up for what is right, and it will be worth it. Remember, bullying is not okay, and if you see something, say something! I hope that in the future, everyone remembers that what we have control over is what matters, not our race. And as Nelson Mandela says, “No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”