A social issue is a problem that negatively affects a large number of citizens within a society. This past year of 2020 has accentuated many social issues in our community. One social issue in particular that has been increasingly getting more attention is the hate and racism towards AAPI (Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders). This is nothing new, however. Racism towards people of color has always been an issue not only in our society in the United States but across the globe as well and it seems that only now it is finally being addressed by the majority of citizens. The current pandemic of the Covid-19 virus has undoubtedly highlighted racism towards AAPI as many of them have experienced hate speech and attacks towards them and are accused of causing this pandemic, which logically speaking cannot be true, since blaming all AAPI in general for a pandemic just sounds obscured. It seems that many of these people used the hardships that this pandemic has caused as an excuse to express their racism towards AAPI. It is unfortunate that the topic of racism against people of color is still relevant today but it is still important to address this social issue.
According to a report from Stop AAPI Hate, a nonprofit organization that tracks incidents of discrimination, hate, and xenophobia against AAPI in the United States, nearly 3,800 hate incidents were reported in the past year alone. However, since these are only reported incidents, there may have been way more than we were not informed of. Most of these reported incidents were of women, making up 68% while men made up 29%. This data, however, may also be slightly flawed. Women may have been more likely to report a hate incident because men may not want to be seen as "weak" or "vulnerable due to gender role expectations, but that is a whole other topic to address another time.
One recent attack caught on a surveillance camera was towards a 65-year-old Asian American woman in Manhattan, New York. Vilma Kari was on her way to church on the morning of March 29 where she was physically and verbally attacked by a man who yelled anti-Asian racial slurs at her and told her "You don't belong here," then he continued to casually walk away (Sisak, 2021). Kari was kicked in the stomach, stomped on the head multiple times, and suffered a contusion to the head and a fractured pelvis. This disturbing video also reveals the doormen in the apartment building merely watching the whole situation and even closed the door on her. Since it was "clear that emergency and safety protocols were not followed...their employment has been terminated" (Fieldstadt & Wong, 2021).
Another recent attack occurred in Oakland, California where a 75-year-old Asian American man was robbed and assaulted during his daily walk. Pak Ho suffered brain damage and passed away from his injuries 2 days later. According to the Oakland Police Department, the suspect "has a history of victimizing elderly Asian people," which supports the belief that this should be labeled as a hate crime (Wong, 2021).
Discrimination comes in various forms and occurs in adults, the elderly, and even children. It is sickening to see that even the elderly, the most vulnerable, Asian people are also being attacked both verbally and physically.
As an Asian American woman myself, I fear for my life and my family's lives in this world today. I am fortunate enough that I have not experienced extreme levels of discrimination and neither has any of my family members, but it is sad to say that I cannot say the same for all of the AAPI community. Growing up and currently living in a predominantly white community has however made me feel that certain stereotypes and comments about my race were okay to say to Asian people, such as being called a "chink," or simply being ridiculed for the way they looked. In a way, I felt discriminated against in my own K-12 schools because I felt that I did not belong in this community. The older I grew, the more I realized that it should not be this way. Children should not feel discriminated against for their race or ethnicity.
Addressing this social issue and bringing awareness to it can help bring an end to the hate against AAPI and even to all people of color. I urge everyone to stand up for those around you who are being discriminated against because it can go a long way. If you witness an incident, report it.
References
Fieldstadt, E., & Wong, W. (2021, April 06). Doormen who appeared to Watch attack on Asian woman in N.Y.C. fired. Retrieved from https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/doormen-who-appeared-watch-attack-asian-woman-n-y-c-n1263168
Sisak, M. (2021, April 01). Suspect in attack on Asian American woman in NYC is arrested. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/brandon-elliot-arrested-attacked-65-year-old-asian-woman-741b8c594e1f288cf753b9e5a99e9ed4
Wong, W. (2021, March 12). Suspect charged with murder after death of 75-year-old Asian man who was attacked on his daily walk. Retrieved from https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/suspect-charged-murder-after-death-75-year-old-asian-man-n1260870
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