China News Agency, Beijing, March 21, Question: What is the solution to the security dilemma of Asian Americans with continued high incidence of hate crimes?

  Author Jin Xu

  Fifty-six years ago, the United Nations designated March 21 as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. While commemorating the "Sharpeville Massacre", it called on the international community to oppose racial discrimination.

Today, the spread of the new crown pneumonia epidemic in the United States and other Western countries is exacerbating racial discrimination and violence against Asian groups.

Data map: New York held an anti-Asian hate march. After tens of thousands of people held placards in Foley Square in Manhattan, they marched across the Brooklyn Bridge to Cadman Square in Brooklyn.

The picture shows the marchers rallying in Foley Square.

Photo by China News Agency reporter Liao Pan

Asians are mired in hatred

  From the series of shootings in Atlanta in the United States to the signing of the "Anti-New Crown Hate Crime Law", the incidents of discrimination, harassment and violence against Asians have not significantly diminished.

  It is reported that in 2021, hate crimes against Asians in the United States will soar by 339%, and cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco will become the hardest hit areas.

Among them, hate crimes against Asian Americans in New York City in 2021 soared by 361% compared to 2020.

In Los Angeles County, two-thirds of Asian-American residents fear being a victim of racial discrimination...

  The shocking figures have once again exposed the deep-rooted social ills in the United States. The tinted glasses of discrimination blur the truth, and the spearhead and prejudice are aimed at ethnic minorities. Negative labels such as "Kung Fu Flu" and "No Chinese Entry" are firmly stuck to Asians. It is very easy to arouse dissatisfaction and attack from others.

  Elderly scavengers were maliciously pushed and shoved, Asian women were innocently verbally abused and attacked, and Chinese supermarkets were frequently robbed. These cases are frequently reported in the newspapers, aggravating people's concerns about the safety of overseas Chinese.

  Xiao Zhihong, a Chinese political commentator who has lived in New Zealand for many years, said that anti-Asian sentiment in Western countries is closely related to the severity of the epidemic.

Many foreigners blame Asians for the economic losses such as unemployment and bankruptcy due to the epidemic.

"It should be noted that 'hate crime' is an extreme manifestation and outbreak of racial discrimination. In countries with fewer hate crime cases, 'hidden discrimination' against Asians also exists and cannot be ignored."

Model ethnic groups become "scapegoats"

  The hate cases that have been uncovered may be just the tip of the iceberg of violence and harassment faced by Asians over the past year.

Yao Jiu'an, executive director of the Asian American Alliance, said that many incidents of discrimination and violence against Asians are often minimized or even covered up, and the Asian community is very distressed and angry.

  "In less than two years, there have been more than 10,000 incidents of discrimination and hatred against Asians in the United States." Taowen Le Taowen, a tenured professor at Weber State University in the United States, said that as a model minority, Asians are the defenders of social harmony and the role of all walks of life. An important contributor to the development of various industries.

However, Asians have not only failed to receive due respect and gratitude, but have become "scapegoats" to vent their hatred.

"If this kind of social morbidity is not effectively cured, it will only further tear American society apart, exacerbating social unrest and Chinese people's anxiety."

  In fact, anti-Asian racism has a long history in the United States.

The enactment of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 blamed the Chinese for America's misfortune.

Now, the panic brought about by the new crown epidemic has once again made Asians the target of malicious attacks on anti-Asian political and online speeches in the United States.

  Xiao Zhihong said that for a long time, Asians have been regarded as foreign races in the eyes of Western countries. In addition, Asians themselves are more introverted and less resistant to resistance, so they have naturally become the targets of "bullying" and become the key targets of robbery and theft crimes. , has also become the first sacrificed part when allocating social resources.

There is a long way to go to heal the wounds of discrimination

  Fortunately, more and more Asians no longer remain silent and take to the streets to defend their rights and safety with the cry of "I am not a virus" and "Asian life is also life", calling for freedom and equality.

  Last year, Peach Man participated in an anti-discrimination event in Salt Lake City, Utah.

"In addition to raising awareness of safety precautions and raising awareness and ability to use legal means to defend their rights and interests, Asian groups should also improve their ability to integrate into mainstream society and reduce misunderstandings and prejudice," he said.

  Recently, the city of San Francisco in the United States officially apologized for its past discrimination and violence against the Chinese community; the Ontario government of Canada held a "Cultural Awareness Day" event to raise social awareness of various ethnic cultures; the deputy mayor of Bath, UK Yu Deshuo calls on Chinese to break the silence and speak out bravely...

  Xiao Zhihong believes that these efforts show that all ethnic groups should be united to help refute false rumors about the origin of the new crown epidemic, spread more scientific knowledge, tell everyone that "the epidemic may break out in any country", and tell everyone that it is necessary to prevent the virus from becoming a pandemic. What matters is "government action" and "people's cooperation", rather than taking anger on others.

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