COVID 19 Fueling Anti Asian Bias: Solidarity and Discrimination in a Pandemic

The recent wave of hate crimes targeting Asian Americans due to COVID-19 has sparked a public outcry for action. With over three-quarters 78 of Asian Americans expressing concerns about experiencing hate crimes, harassment and discrimination, the situation is dire.

This revelation comes amid alarming videos of violent incidents agnst Asian-Americans, including elderly people being shoved, individuals receiving verbal abuse and physical assault, and an Asian man being stabbed in the back with a 10-inch knife. The spate of attacks has prompted numerous lawmakers to advocate for new legislation to combat hate crimes agnst Asian Americans.

Rep. Grace Meng D-NY and Sen. Mazie Hirono D-Hawi, among other Democratic leaders, have proposed a bill that would create a specialized position within the Department of Justice focused on reviewing hate crimes related to COVID-19 and ensuring oversight over such incidents.

While attention is rightfully being given to this issue, some observers have used videos showing perpetrators who appear to be Black to fuel the stereotype of conflict between Asian-Americans and African Americans. This trope, which previously dominated discussions about race relations in Los Angeles during the 1992 riots, has been misleading. The data suggests that Christian nationalism is a stronger predictor of xenophobia toward COVID-19, with white respondents reporting this sentiment at higher rates compared to their Black counterparts.

Moreover, African Americans have also experienced significant levels of discrimination since the pandemic's onset. This points to the fact that systems of inequality, rather than just conflict between communities, are responsible for positioning them where they stand today.

Historically, in response to the 1992 riots, leaders from both the Asian and Black American communities worked together not only to show solidarity but also to refute the false clm that anti-Asian violence was a manifestation of the supposed Black-Asian conflict. These instances demonstrate how empathy and justice can transc community lines.

In , while COVID-related anti-Asian bias appears inevitable, incidents of actual support from both communities are underrepresented in media coverage. They are indicative of what's possible when we imagine solidarity beyond our own groups. Despite fears incited by rhetoric such as China virus, recent studies suggest that most Americans do not exhibit anger towards Asian-Americans due to the coronavirus.

Instead, it's a small minority that fuels fear among the majority of Asian Americans. However, this is not an exhaustive portrayal of public sentiment. It highlights how anger can escalate into actions like hate crimes when fears are amplified by certn narratives. The solidarity shown during recent protests agnst anti-Asian violence in cities such as Oakland and New York is inspiring and serves as a testament to what unity among different communities can achieve.

As society grapples with these complex issues, it's crucial that we not only acknowledge the real experiences of hate crimes but also recognize the acts of solidarity that are occurring. These moments remind us of our shared ity and potential for collective action agnst discrimination and prejudice.

Columbia University

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