Angela Chan, Class IV
Photo Credit: The New York Post
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, there has been a surge in hate crimes and attacks directed at Asian communities. The verbal and physical attacks they’ve experienced or witnessed on television cause them to live with the fear of going into public spaces. A myriad of Asian Americans are vigilant when they leave their homes; they’re taught to keep their heads down, mind their own business, and carry pepper spray and safety alarms as they walk on the streets of NYC. Jo-Ann Yoo, the executive director of the nonprofit Asian American Federation, stated, “I’m so tired of being constantly looking around and constantly making sure that nobody’s behind me — is this a potential attacker? We just have to mentally prepare for that, you can’t ever let your guard down the minute you step out of your house.”
According to the New York Times, Michelle Go, a 40-year-old Asian American woman, was pushed to her death from a Times Square subway platform on January 15th. Even though the police have disclosed that the attack was not racially motivated, it left a lasting impression on the Asian American community. They have the capability to imagine how overwhelming and terrifying it would be if they put themselves in her shoes.
Just one month after Go’s death, there was another incident where an Asian American was attacked in NYC. Christina Yuna Lee, 35-years-old, was found dead in her Chinatown apartment after she was followed home and stabbed by a stranger. This incident was also not designated as a hate crime, leading to protests and outrage amongst many Asian Americans. “How many more of us need to be sliced with a box cutter, bashed in the head with a rock, or more recently punched over 125 times before it gets labeled a hate crime?” Esther Lee, a victim of Anti-Asian violence, said at a rally in Times Square.
Joanne Ye, a TBLS discip from Class IV, shared her opinions on these recent attacks on Asian Americans. “Hate crimes are really common in NYC and are not something one can control. I can sympathize with all the Asians that have been affected by this crisis, and I feel devastated and absolute disgust at what our world has come to. My relatives and I are constantly feeling anxious whenever we enter a train station to get to a destination. I always have to look over my shoulders to see if there’s a suspicious individual following me. I was stunned when I heard the news about an American killed just because of her race. I worry about my mother, who takes the train to get home every day, and I feel paranoid about her going out, especially at night.,” she said.
Despite the drop in COVID cases in recent months, a majority of Asian Americans avoid leaving their homes in fear of what could happen. According to the New York Times, “Many, many more crimes and aggressions against Asians go unreported — in part because of language barriers or immigration status but also because of a cultural phenomenon that is intuitively understood in our communities.” With the deterioration of their well-being, the Asian community seeks all the help it can get.
What can you do to support the Asian community?
Use your social media platforms to spread awareness on these incidents
Donate to non-profit organizations such as the Asian Americans Advancing Justice, Asian American Advocacy Fund, Stop AAPI Hate, etc.
Support Asian-owned businesses
Report hate incidents to your local police or through this link: https://stopaapihate.org/reportincident/
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