Taking a Stand Against Asian-American Hatred and Violence

Advika Patange
April 30, 2021

On March 16, 2021, a white man in Atlanta shot eight people, including six Asian women, in a series of shootings at three massage parlors. The day after, a 75-year-old Asian woman and an 83-year-old Asian man were assaulted in San Francisco unprovoked. Asian Americans, particularly Asian American women, have been victims of violence for centuries in America. This past year, we’ve seen racially motivated hate against Asian Americans at an all-time high.

Violence and hate crimes against Asian Americans have risen exponentially during the pandemic. These include verbal harassment, vandalism, shunning, and physical attacks. “Stop AAPI Hate” has recorded 3,795 incidents of anti-Asian hate crimes since March 19th, 2020. Hate crimes against Asian Americans have increased at a quicker rate than other hate crimes. After examining multiple reports of hate crimes, The New York Times has determined there’s a direct correlation between the hate crime increase and the coronavirus pandemic, due to the virus’s origination in Wuhan, China, and the fact that it has been called the “Chinese Virus” and “Kung Flu” by former President Trump. The Asian American community is hurting and many Asian Americans live in fear of racially motivated attacks against them. 

Here’s how you can help.

To report a hate incident:

  • Go to the police.
  • Stop AAPI Hate is a forum that contains resources to help Asian Americans. This includes reporting hate incidents without involving the police. 
  • AAJC’s Stand Against Hate website allows Asian Americans to share their experiences with hatred and violence. 

To donate:

  • Stop AAPI Hate.
  • Chinese for Affirmative Action.
  • The Movement Hub and Shared Liberation Network were created to help advance racial equity and intersectional justice. It contains over 40 organizations to donate to that aid Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. 
  • Hate is a Virus aims to raise $1 million for organizations offering mental health services, improved safety and care for elderly people, and forging links with other communities of color.
  • Asian American Resource Center provides resources to low-income and immigrant families, including homeless families to find housing and create pathways for their future, and offers free English classes.
  • Southeast Asian Coalition.
  • Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC) advocates for the civil and human rights of Asian Americans through education, litigation, and advocacy in public policy.  
  • Center for Pan Asian Community Services works for comprehensive health and social services, capacity building, and advocacy to promote equity.
  • Korean Resource Center.
  • Reviving the Islamic Sisterhood for Empowerment.
  • VietLead.

To support Asian owned businesses:

  • Chinatowns have been hit particularly hard this year. Buy some tea or get takeout from your local Chinatown. 
  • Woo Ceramics has pottery pieces ranging from mugs to jewelry to home decor. 
  • HEYMAEVE is a jewelry brand born during the pandemic that aims to bring minority representation and growth to the fashion industry. 
  • Maskela sells face masks. 
  • Banana Mag is a magazine that explores Asian American identity. 
  • The Fortune Cookie Factory makes fortune cookies that you can personalize. 
  • Omsom sells flavor packets for a quick and easy home-cooked meal. 

To support local Asian owned businesses:

  • Aikou
  • Savory Thai Cooking
  • China Moon
  • Great Wall
  • Golden Bowl
  • Kyoto Japanese Restaurant

Things you can do for your community:

  • Stay informed.
  • Be civically engaged.
  • Talk to your elected officials about what they’re doing to help.
  • Call out injustice when you see it.
  • Advocate for civil rights expansion to protect Asian Americans.
  • Encourage your workplace, school, or other community organizations to denounce anti-Asian hatred and help them work towards racial justice.
  • Check in on your Asian American friends to let them know you support them and are here for them.

We all have our part to play in the fight against racial injustice. Anti-Asian hate can be deadly. We, as a community, need to do all we can to help Asian Americans. One person taking a stand against violence and hatred can change the world.