Dawn Cheung and Victoria Do clap and cheer while listening to speakers during a protest against anti-Asian hate crimes at Hing Hay Park in the Chinatown-International District of Seattle, Washington, on 13 March 2021. File photo/Reuters/Lindsey Wasson
By Rich McKay and Gabriella Borter | Reuters
ATLANTA, US, 18 March 2021
Before the COVID-19 pandemic began last year, Kyung Cho noticed people sometimes gave him odd looks or asked if he spoke English.
These days, Cho said, attitudes toward Asian-Americans like him have become far more hostile.
“It’s gotten worse,” the 50-year-old handyman said as he shopped at an Asian grocery store in an Atlanta suburb on Wednesday. “The other day I was in a parking lot and some kid shouted for me to go back to China. I’m from Korea.”
Across the United States, many Asian-Americans reeled at the news of a shooting spree at three spas in and around Atlanta on Tuesday night that left eight people dead, including six Asian women. Authorities said the 21-year-old white male suspect told them he had a sex addiction and that the attacks may not have had a racial motivation.
But after a year in which reports of hate crimes against Asian Americans have skyrocketed, the shooting sparked fresh outrage, fear and demands for a government response.
“We’re besieged,” said Russell Jeung, a professor of Asian American Studies at San Francisco State University and a founder of Stop AAPI Hate, a coalition that has tracked anti-Asian violence during the pandemic. “The overall community is traumatized.”
In a report released on Tuesday before the shooting, the coalition said it received 3,795 reports of hate incidents between March 2020 and February 2021. The majority of the discrimination consisted of verbal harassment and shunning, with women reporting incidents about two times more often then men.
A study published earlier this month by the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism, a nonpartisan research center, showed that reported hate crimes against Asian Americans in 16 major US cities rose by 149% from 2019 to 2020, while overall hate crimes dropped 7% in the same time period.
Advocates for the community say the surge is largely the result of Asian Americans being blamed for the coronavirus, which was first identified in Wuhan, China in late 2019. Former US President Donald Trump repeatedly referred to COVID-19 as the “China Virus” and “kung flu,” rhetoric seen by some as inflaming anti-Asian sentiment.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll of 4,430 Americans, conducted from 18-24 February, showed that 37% believed that COVID-19 was created in a lab in China, including 24% of Democrats and 54% of Republicans. Researchers are still trying to identify the origins of the virus, but there is no credible evidence to suggest it was accidentally released from a Chinese lab.
Lily Huynh, 24, said she was upset by the deaths of the women in Georgia.
She said she has increasingly worried that her mother, an immigrant from Vietnam who owns a nail salon in Mesquite, Texas, might be targeted due to her heavy accent and nationality.
“You think about these women, and you recognize your own mother could have been them,” Huynh said.
Asian-American leaders on Wednesday called for government officials to do more to protect and support their communities, and the hashtag #StopAsianHate circulated widely on social media. A US House of Representatives committee planned a hearing for Thursday to address the issue.
“Asian Americans are afraid to leave their homes, and not just because of disease. They’re afraid to leave their homes because there’s a real risk, just walking down the street minding your own business, that you’ll be blamed for a global pandemic and that people will come after you,” said Frank Wu, the president of Queens College, City University of New York, who studies anti-Asian discrimination in the United States.
Almost half of the anti-Asian hate incidents recorded by Stop AAPI Hate occurred in California, where Asian Americans make up some 15% of the population.
Ronald Lisam, a 45-year-old Chinese-American who was grocery shopping in San Francisco’s Chinatown on Wednesday, said he has started to question his safety in public.
“Every day I’m worried about being attacked, robbed, assaulted,” he said.
The underlying fact of the current wave of “attacks against Asians” in the US is actually targeted towards the Chinese, rather than all the Asians.
The reason for these attacks is nothing else than the attackers taking out their frustration for the Coronavirus pandemic, as they believe that the Chinese created the pandemic, causing all the problems.
But the problem is that the attackers look at all narrow and slit eyes, white round face and short built people to be all Chinese. Most Asians has these features, including many within the Tibetan society, and then all these people from the same pool get attacked, giving it the impression of “Anti-Asian” attacks.
I am not saying these attacks are justified. I totally stand against these attacks, or idea of any attack. Would you feel alright if I take out my frustration on you by generalizing the matter. First, it’s uncertain if the coronavirus actually came from China. Second, not every Chinese is responsible for pandemic, even if the virus came out from China.
Tibetans who have those slit eyes, white round face and short built could be mistaken for Chinese and get assaulted. You never know. Any Tibetan could be attacked by Blacks if they knew that Tibetans (some uninformed ones, of course) were criticizing those who stood with the BLM movement.
It was mind boggling when some Tibetans criticized those Tibetans who were supporting the BLM movement. All the liberals are behind the BLM, and these are the very people who support the Free Tibet movement. Some Tibetans even went to DC for the Jan 6 protest organized by the Proud Boys. About a dozen Tibetans from NYC went to DC for the protest. They later deleted their proud protest photos after they learned that the FBI was investigating the protesters.
Most of the violent offenders against Asian Americans are black people. But our woke leftists are determined to fight “white supremacy” to end this anti-Asian hatred. Similarly, our woke appeasers always find something to further weaken our stance against CCP hoping to appease our oppressor. It doesn’t work that way.
Perceiving the Biden administration as weak, the CCP lambasted both Sec of State Blinken and National Security Advisor Sullivan lecturing them about human rights and the American people’s lack of trust in democracy alluding to the large scale BLM protests, which is fueled by leftists and supported by the Democrats.
Not just that Chinese citizens started trolling with the derogatory term “Baizuo”. Look up the meaning.
Now that the Asian community is identifying who the predominant perpetrators are, you’re not going to see much coverage from the media. It doesn’t suit their narrative.
Similarly no coverage about the nightmarish situation with migrants/children in the detention centres. Although the administration has blocked access some pictures have come out and its more horrible than ever before.
Now we hear about the woke left of cancel culture being cancelled herself. Senior Teen Vogue editor’s past racist tweets against Asians have come back to haunt her. Another woke leftist school board member in San Francisco however refuses to resign for her 2016 tweet calling Asian Americans “house n****rs” who embrace “white supremacist thinking” to get ahead. I hope no Tibetan ever thinks that it is advantageous to take on the victim mind set and mentality. That energy and thought form will keep you a failure, guaranteed.
What comes out of this is the naked truth that unless you have your own country, you are an outcast in a foreign country. Why we are facing the loss of language, our identity and dignity is owing to the loss of our country. This shows beyond a shadow of doubt that unless we strive for total independence of our nation, we will remain outcastes even if we have a foreign passport.
In occupied Tibet, we are fast becoming strangers in our own country as communist China changes the population demographics by sending millions of Chinese colonisers.
Most of the world from Africa to Asia, Latin America to South America were either British, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch or German colonies. Today, most of them are independent nations. This happened because they fought for their independence and didn’t give ownership to the occupier.
Even though the British owned a quarter of the world and was the mightiest nation on earth, those colonised people were not daunted by the power of the coloniser but rather fired to fight for their country upon which depended their happiness and dignity.
They were treated abjectly by the colonisers and knew there was no hope of being treated equally or appropriately by the colonisers. It is given that all colonisers treat their conquered subjects with imperialist attitude of domination and control. They give themselves a sense of entitlement to enslave the natives in order to “civilise” them. They don’t feel any sense of guilt because in their eyes, the conquered subjects are nothing more than primitive savages or barbarians.
We have to understand that in order to live a dignified life without being taunted by racial epithets, repugnant expletives and oppression, we must have ownership of our nation. No matter what!
Anti-Northeasterners hate in India make Anti-Asian hate in the US looks like a picnic.
Calling names, beating up to death is not unheard of when northeaterners go to the mainland.
Just as it can be unsafe sometimes for northeasterners in mainland, North eastern regions can be pretty unsafe for “outsiders”. The cultural subversion by conversion and proselytization by Evangelists have led to this extreme anti Hindu/mainlanders. Known for long standing extremist activities, these militant groups are supported by either the Christian churches, the cross border CCP China or the Jihadi Talibans from Bangladesh. Outsiders live and run businesses in these states under heavy ransom, militant taxes, persecutions by the majority. This menace has now spread to Arunachal Pradesh. But there is hope as better sense prevails from both sides.
i have been called ‘Chinese virus’ behind my back several times in NY. Americans see even Tibetans, who are anti-China, as Chinese because both are asians.
In my case, I found that Black Americans are racist towards me, and hardly whites. I think Blacks are trying to align themselves as proper Americans, and trying to make asians second class citizens.
It is sad that America doesn’t look into minority to minority hate crimes. I think black are jealous of asians as we make more money, and have less problem with police.
Tibetans should rise up against Anti-asian hate. I experience the micro-aggressions everyday, mostly from blacks. This doesn’t mean that we love China. This just means that in some areas, we share identity as Asians in America; in others, we fight as enemies. This is just like US and China co-operating in some areas for mutual benefit, while fighting war in other areas. NO contradiction there.
As per Christianity the whole world is created (everything and every living beings) by God/the creator. President Donald Trump said that this Covid19 is created by China and therefore, China is a God to the Christian world. Why there are so many non-white people becoming Christian, a religion that has no morality and tolerance embracing self indulgence and self denial. The shooter himself is a member of Crabtree First Church and strong believer in God. Even Muslim and Hindu religions believe in God. But the subject of knowledge can not be separated from the object of knowledge. Both subject and object is one. Therefor there can not be subject/consciousness without object. How can you believe in God when there is no object. For example, going in a complete dark house full of objects but you do not see them, therefore, you do not arise any subject/consciousness in your mind. So, when you say God there is no object and without object how you bring the subject. If you have not seen the chocolate in your life how can you describe it. I think Buddhism is the only religion that has no racism, no gender inequality, not caste system avoiding self indulgence/self denial and teaches morality and tolerance. Buddhism also teaches us how to reduce our anger, hatred and jealousy. All the living beings — humans, animals, birds, insects, plants, micro-organisms, etc, are equally respected and protected.
Tibetan Buddhism is no doubt a very fine dharma. Whether it can be termed a religion is open to debate because it’s essentially the science of the mind rather than a religion. It doesn’t have a creator as other religions do. It’s a philosophy of life.
It teaches compassion as the Central them of the belief system. Therefore, violence is seen as anathema to the system. That is why Tibetans are a compassionate people even though they are also big meat eaters. This should stop if they really believe in the tenet of non-violence.
But because of the compassionate aspect of the Dharma, Tibetans have been rather naïve as well. A Tulku in Kham called Getak Rinpoche actually helped the PLA to invade Tibet when they were actually starving. He must have been totally ignorant of the political repercussions of his naivety.
Dolma Tsering claimed of hurting Chinese feelings by shouting “Bhod Gyalo” and singing “Long shok” the M10 anthem. It goes to show the utter lack of judgement in political terms and only driven by her naivety in the faith.
Today, some Tibetans may be aligning with the Chinese in the US peddling it as Asian unity. This gives great satisfaction to the CCP to see Tibetans identifying themselves as “Chinese”. Another naivety. The racism in the US is spurred by the reckless actions of the CCP in its dealing with the virus which has brought catastrophe to the world. Therefore it’s against the Chinese not against Asians. However, it exploits the attacks in the US as anti-Asian to bring about a division between the Americans and Asians and bring Asians under its arm.
The CCP always divide people to weaken its opponent. The reason why we have divisions among ourselves as Khampa, Amdo and U-Tsang is the handicap-work of the CCP’s United front.
All Asians have fallen victim to racism one time or the other. As a Tibetan, we are discriminated against more than other Asians. Rarely, do we come across people who know Tibetan or His Holiness.
I hear that some uninformed Rangzen “performer” Tibetans in the US participated in the Capital protest. They took down their pictures waving Tibetan flag from their Fb and Insta after FBI began investigating the riot.
Where are these people now?
Why are they not protesting in this race-based issue, and instead meddling Tibetan national struggle with US Democratic-Republican partisan politics. It is sad. Just after one fasting and one peace march, some Tibetans, like Dhondub Lhadar, and Ngakhyo Sey, present themselves as Rangzen leaders. They are risking our freedom struggle and missing out on these larger issues.
Racism is a mental sickness but it exists in every society. However, I am appalled by the white policemen’s total disregard of black people. I also know not every white policeman treats them the same. However, the US has a history of racism throughout its existence.
No person whatever their nationality should be subjected to discrimination but unfortunately, the weak ones are usually the target of racists. It’s very troubling that people of Chinese origin are bearing the brunt of racism in the US, and especially California.
If we look at the history of the Chinese themselves, they also discriminate others that are not Chinese. Tibetans have been racially vilified by the CCP and subjected to untold misery. Not a single Chinese to date ever spoke about the crimes of the CCP against the Tibetans or the Uyghurs.
The Chinese believe they are more cultured than others and so treating them harshly is to “civilise” them by the “superior” Chinese! They see no wrong in them. That’s racism. The Chinese living in foreign countries should learn to be loyal to their host country rather than their “mother” country. This loyalty is seen by westerners as a betrayal of their hospitality. That builds racial tension which culminates in conflict.
Many Chinese people don’t even learn the language of the host country out of a sense of Chauvinism. That causes suspicion and bad blood between the locals. So, the Chinese should look into their own chauvinism and integrate into the culture of their host country.
That will help to be accepted as part and parcel of the nation they are living. But at the moment, many Chinese feel they are Chinese and not American and even goes to show this by supporting the CCP by being influencers, spies and double cross their host.
It is true that anti-immigrant sentiment in US against Asian immigrant community do exist. But rather mildly against non Muslim East Asians.
But in last one year or so a marked rise in so-called Anti Asian hate crimes. It is rather loosely used term. A more precise description is anti-Chinese sentiment in America.
This sentiment has strong connection with CCP’s mishandling of Corona virus from China. The Chinese community is not the culprits on the whole. The real sinner is CCP!
The Chinese government deliberately covered up the true nature of Corona virus and allowed it to spread all over the world causing disaster to peoples’ lives and livelihoods everywhere. People are very angry and frustrated. But finger pointing is in the wrong direction when the CCP is solely responsible for this catastrophe.
Unspoken but another important reason for the spike in anti Chinese feeling is that there exists a strong suspicion that the agent provocateurs of CCP are fuelling the anti Chinese campaign. A network of CCP’s agents exists in US – students, spies imbedded in Chinese or China-related business and professional organizations and Chinese embassy and Consulates in USA.
The CCP loves such things taken place. Why? Because: 1) China can shout to the world from the rooftop that America is hotbed of anti Chinese recital discriminations.
2) The CCP can tell to Chinese at home their compatriots are victimised when CCP refuses to bend to American dictates. This evokes a powerful rallying cry around the CCP!
3) CCP can whisper into ears of Asian countries that Asians are racially profiled and attached due to American fear and jealousy of the rise of Asia. China often uses Asian camouflage when it is in the dock.
In reality Asian countries fear and resent the rise…
Where are all those bandwagoners (Tibetans specially) who were posting, protesting, and marching with the Black Lives Matter groups? Suddenly, all these people have nothing to say when most of the anti-asian violence has been committed by Black people.
This is real. All Asians suffer abuse from white american point of view, all small eyed Asians are Chinese.
Who are the majority of the perpetrators? Its a dirty little secret now come into focus. We have been conditioned to believe that racism stems from white supremacy. The fact remains that racism does not discriminate. It exists in many forms across all classes and ethnicities. Black on Asian attacks especially in San Francisco is nothing new. MSM and woke social media will be silent on that and yes lets march against “white supremacy”.
It is pleasant enough when life flows by like a song. But things change causing us to reminisce of the good old days.
Such as the song by Scot Mckenzie:
If you’re going to San Francisco
Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair
If you’re going to San Francisco
You’re gonna meet some gentle people there
That was then and this is now.