China News Service, January 18. According to the US "World Daily" report, the new crown pneumonia epidemic has made the hidden racial discrimination issue rampant, and 2020 will become a watershed to tear apart the peaceful lives of Chinese in the United States.
According to a recent statistical report released by Columbia University, since the outbreak of the epidemic, about 58% of Chinese-American residents living in New York City have experienced some form of discrimination, one-third have experienced harassment, assault or prejudice incidents, and 71% are worried that hate crimes will affect The safety of myself and my family; the research results show that the dual challenges of the epidemic and discrimination are exacerbating the permanent negative trauma to the economic, social, physical, emotional and mental health of local Chinese.
From February to December 2020, the New York City Human Rights Commission received a total of 205 reports of racism against Asians, compared with only 30 in the previous year; national statistics show that the number of incidents of discrimination against Chinese Americans in the past two years is 10%. highest among ethnic groups.
The researchers pointed out that some stigmatizing words against China have contributed to the rapid spread of discriminatory speech and behavior against Chinese people.
In a study by Professor Gao Qin, director of the China Policy Center at the Columbia University School of Social Work, and researcher Liu Xiaofang, discrimination against Chinese-Americans living in New York is more common, harmful, and persistent, especially for those who take public transportation (such as the subway). Chinese residents with ordinary material life are more likely to become targets of racial discrimination due to exposure to high-risk environments.
Columbia research shows that between March and December 2020, 58% of Chinese New York residents experienced discrimination; specifically, one in five experienced threats or harassment, and one in three experienced unfair treatment in a restaurant or store , nearly half felt they were not being respected enough, or that others were showing fear of them.
Among the more than 400 respondents, the researchers frequently received comments such as "I'm so afraid of being attacked when I'm out, I just stay at home most of the time, feeling down" "I'm worried that one day I'll be punched all of a sudden In the face or being harassed" "Many people tell me to stay away from them, it makes me very uncomfortable" and other feedback.
About one-third of Chinese citizens in 2020 also experienced some kind of harassment, assault or bias; 18% were harassed with racial slurs; 14% were excluded from some events or social situations; 12% were verbally Threats; 6% were physically intimidated or beaten.
The victim May recalled to the researchers that when she and her ten-year-old son came out of the Brooklyn subway station, they encountered two people yelling at them and heard words such as "I hate", "Asian" and "COVID-19". "I was very scared at the time, and I ran away with my son as fast as I could. I usually bring pepper spray when I go out."
Hateful behavior exacerbates the psychological trauma of the Chinese community.
According to the study, 71% of Chinese-Americans in New York are concerned about the safety of hate crimes affecting themselves and their families; 66% avoid certain outings out of fear; 61% feel uncomfortable in public or worry that others will view them negatively.
This racism-related vigilance, also known as anticipatory stress, is a chronic stress response that involves having to ruminate over racism-related experiences while remaining vigilant against racial stereotypes, the researchers said. and discrimination.
"The study found that 92% of Chinese-American victims would choose negative coping strategies, such as keeping silent, trying to forget, accepting, and calming things down; but many people would respond positively, trying to call the police, fight back, protest, and seek help." It is hoped that the report can unite all sectors of society, protect the Asian community, and achieve racial equality and justice.
(Zhang Xin)