Addressing Anti-Asian Hate and Solidarity

Sep 16, 2024

Lecture on Anti-Asian Hate

Introduction

  • A wave of violence against elderly Asian Americans and other Asian Americans.
  • Over 2,800 reports of anti-Asian hate since the pandemic began.
  • Incidents shared widely across social media.
  • Why has anti-Asian hate not been widely discussed before?

Historical Context

  • Asians often not seen as "American."
  • Anti-Asian sentiments existed long before the pandemic.
  • Racism is ingrained in American cultural and structural DNA.
  • Asian experience in America often overlooked.

Defining Asian American

  • Used as a pan-ethnic term including diasporas from major Asian countries.
  • Focus often on East and Southeast Asians.
  • Discussion includes perspectives of other ethnicities and races.

Historical Examples of Anti-Asian Racism

  • 19th Century:

    • Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882.
    • Anti-Asian riots in the American West during the 1870s and 1880s.

  • 20th Century:

    • Discrimination against Filipinos.
    • Japanese American internment during WWII.
    • Model minority myth emerges in the 1960s.
    • Vincent Chin's murder in 1982 as a catalyst for Asian American activism.

The Model Minority Myth

  • Initially beneficial image but perpetuates silent racism.
  • Used to undermine activism of other marginalized groups.
  • Fuels anti-Blackness within the community.

Cross-Cultural Solidarity

  • Historical solidarity with Black civil rights movements.
  • Importance of understanding shared history and supporting each other.
  • Anti-Blackness within Asian communities needs acknowledgment and addressing.

Modern Context and Incidents

  • Rise of hate crimes against Asian Americans amid the pandemic.
  • Amplified by political rhetoric and fear-mongering.
  • Recent violent incidents, including the Atlanta shooting targeting Asian women.

Social and Political Responses

  • Discussions on law enforcement and community safety.
  • Political engagement and voting as tools for change.
  • Importance of grassroots organizations and community empowerment.

Challenges and Moving Forward

  • Acknowledging diversity within the Asian American community.
  • Overcoming internal divides and generational differences.
  • Emphasis on conversation, education, and solidarity across communities.

Conclusion

  • The necessity of ongoing dialogue and activism.
  • Encouraging cross-cultural cooperation and systemic change.
  • The importance of amplifying voices and standing together.