By Peyton Dickerson, Online Editor-In-Chief
Since the beginning of the pandemic, President Trump has received backlash for calling the novel coronavirus “the Chinese virus.” Many have challenged this title, deeming it racist or xenophobic. Also, Asian-Americans have faced direct and indirect discrimination – and even assault – because of the virus.
“It’s very messed up that people would think that we brought this (virus) onto everyone, because we definitely did not,” junior Max Stabley said.
Stabley is South Korean. He said he has never experienced xenophobia himself, but that his younger sister, who is still in elementary school, has.
Especially for those off the beach, xenophobia has come as a threat to their wellbeing. Cases of assault against Asian-Americans have surfaced, such as a 34-year-old Asian-American woman in Manhattan, New York. The woman was spat on and blamed for the virus by Lynn Ferguson, of the Bronx. As the woman attempted to walk away, Ferguson clutched her hair, yanking it aggressively.
Across the country in Los Angeles, California, Thai-American Tanny Jiraprapasuke was verbally assaulted on a subway by a passenger. Jiraprapasuke stated that the man was spewing derogatory comments against Chinese people, claiming they are “disgusting” and that “everything comes from China.”
These verbal and physical attacks are not the only form of xenophobia affecting Asian-Americans. Fear-instigated boycotts of Asian restaurants have surfaced nationwide.
“There were Asian restaurants getting hate just because they sold Asian food,” Stabley said. “And now they’re losing business.”
So why do some people think that a global crisis means it’s OK for prejudice and discrimination to take hold? What leads to hate and fear bubbling to the surface? According to Gary Bernhard and Kalman Glantz’s article on xenophobia, “Xenophobia continues to be an effective political tool because having a common enemy feels good.”
Generally, in times of uncertainty, it upsets humans when they’re not in control. And for some reason, xenophobia grants them that sense of control. When this happens, the real virus can actually be the fear and suffering some individuals are instilling in Asian-Americans during this crisis.
This prejudice cannot go unnoticed, and efforts to spread compassion – to all people – during these times rather than hate should be heeded to make these unprecedented times a little more bearable.
“I think it’s a lack of understanding, and not (being) knowledgeable about viruses in general,” Stabley said. “Just because we’re Asian does not mean we have the virus.”
Junior Peyton Dickerson can be reached at [email protected].
