Anti-Asian Racism & Hate Crimes are on the Rise
It is important for us to realize and recognize that racism is not only targeted at our Black community. Racism is also targeted at other visible minorities, such as Asians, and other people of colour.
It is encouraging that we are seeing more and more effort and determination put into addressing Anti-Black Racism. As an employer or a member of the community, have we devoted the same amount of attention, support and commitment to address racism targeting other minority groups?
Check out this video: How millennial Nobel Prize nominee Amanda Nguyen’s viral video sparked coverage of anti-Asian racism
Asian Hate in the US
- America’s long history of scapegoating its Asian citizens
- 8 Dead in Atlanta Spa Shootings, With Fears of Anti-Asian Bias
- Definition of Bias
- “Because the myth suggests upward mobility, it creates a fallacy that Asian Americans don’t experience struggle or racial discrimination. In reality, the community is America’s most economically divided: a 2018 study by the Pew Research Center found that Asian Americans experience the largest income-inequality gap as an ethnic and racial group in the U.S.”
- Stereotype definition
- There were 3,800 anti-Asian racist incidents, mostly against women, in past year.
- Elderly Asian woman attacked in San Francisco fights back, sends alleged attacker to hospital.
Asian Hate Racism in Canada
- Historical timeline of Anti-Asian racism in Canada from the late 1800s to mid 1900s.
- According to CTV news, “Canada has a higher number of reported anti-Asian hate crime incidents per Asian capita compared to the U.S., according to Project 1907, with Toronto showing the second-highest rate of cases involving anti-Asian hate crimes among major cities, following Vancouver.”
- Horgan ‘deeply’ troubled by 717% increase in anti-Asian hate crimes in Vancouver. The B.C. government is planning on bringing forward anti-racism legislation this year.
- FIGHT COVID-19 RACISM is a platform (funded by the Government of Canada) that allows individuals to share their experiences of Anti-Asian racism during COVID-19. You can also find supportive resources here.
Asian Hate in the UK
- University of Southampton lecturer ‘beaten up in racist attack’
- UK police data suggests a rise of 300% in hate crimes towards Chinese, East and South East Asians in the first quarter of 2020 compared to the same period in 2018 and 2019.
- Covid in Scotland: People are treating us like the disease
Anti-Asian Racism in Australia
- More than 8 in 10 Asian Australians report discrimination during coronavirus pandemic
- Discrimination commissioner says the rise in racism against Asian Australians, Muslims and others is ‘significant’ threat to society and economy
The Model Minority Myth
- There’s a continual existence of the model minority myth. Have we asked the question “who benefits from it”? Asians are still caught in the trap of the ‘Model Minority’ Stereotype. And it creates inequality for all.
- The model minority myth says all Asians are successful. Why that’s dangerous.
Anti-Asian Racism and Mental Health
Anti-Asian racism is a Mental Health Crisis and it’s finally time for workplaces to change It. Forbes tells us how. Tips for Leaders, HR and DEI experts.
What can you do about Anti-Asian Racism?
Self-Care
Nobody wants to experience or witness racism and hate.
Here are some points to consider (from Stop AAPI Hate):
- Be sensitive to your surrounding. Trust your instinct. If you don’t feel safe, leave the place.
- Stay calm. Limit your eye contact. Keep your verbal and body language neutral.
- Establish distance and physical boundaries. Denounce their behaviour and comments.
- Ask for help. You are not alone.
- Get emotional support. Speak with someone you trust. Consider crisis helpline in your community or Employee Family Assistance Program (EFAP) offered at work.
Acknowledge and Raise Awareness to Anti-Asian Racism
Educate ourselves on the history of Anti-Asian Racism, discrimination, stereotypes and bias.
Show Your Support
- Be there for your friend, family, colleague, neighbour or that someone who you don’t know but needs support.
- Support Asian and people of colour’s businesses.
- Make donations to support the cause to fight racism.
In the Workplace
As a socially responsible employer, you probably have started work on Anti-Black racism and a Diversity Statement to promote diversity in the workplace. The Black community is not the only group facing racism and barriers. Other visible minorities and people of colour are also facing similar challenges in their everyday life and work.
As the employer and leader, have you devoted the same amount of consideration, support, effort and commitment to address racism targeting Asians and people of colour?
Everyone deserves the same opportunity to grow and succeed. Are you giving everyone the same opportunity and access to jobs?
What can be done in the workplace to promote inclusiveness and embrace diversity?
Here are some quotes about racial equality.
Let’s break the barriers. Here are some benefits of diversity in the workplace. and more if you want bookmark to get familiar with DEI:
