Shout It Even Louder: Stop Asian Hate

stop asian hate is a virus Anna Rogacheva — Illustration by Anna Rogacheva

Living in constant fear of being attacked once I step one foot out the door isn’t a feeling I’ve previously felt before. Then the pandemic hit. For the first time in my life, I’m anxious about going outside, just the thought of it makes me freak out. I’m having to worry about not only my own safety but also close ones too. Even a trip to the supermarket fills me with worry. It’s not pleasant. I don’t dare go out by myself, yet I don’t want to be sheltered for the rest of my life. Whilst reading news articles, you tend to think it won’t happen to you at first, but then you remember you’ve experienced racism throughout your life, even to this very day. The reality is, no one is safe.

I’ve previously touched upon racism and xenophobia last year when hate crimes were on the rise due to the pandemic. It was all fuelled by ignorance and despicable narratives. In light of recent events, I’ve been collating my thoughts in the past week, translating anger into words. Initially, I wasn’t sure whether to write a blog post about it thanks to anxiety being a bitch but the “bad day” comment was the last straw. Let’s start with three simple words: stop Asian hate.

Not Unique to the US

Just because these events have happened in the US doesn’t mean there’s zero hate crime towards Asians in the UK. Blame it on the lack of media coverage here.

The issue is, once the incident has been published on UK media outlets, it is then cast aside and forgotten about. Above all, they are quick to focus on the “China” aspect of the pandemic, using images of Asians in their articles when reporting on the UK outbreak; hence creating a heightened sense of fear and a great deal of finger-pointing. They have unintentionally given a certain someone, who shall not be named, a platform to echo his “Chinese virus” and it’s not racist rhetoric because it’s considered newsworthy. As a result, amplifying the narrative on a global scale. They are part of the problem, complicit in the increase in hate crimes towards Asians. Mix this with ignorance, it’s deafening. There has been more than a 300% increase in the UK; however many incidents go unreported so the figure may be a lot higher. Horrific.

Despite social media being toxic, it has given people a platform to voice past experiences, to voice to condemn, to voice support. I have noticed those who voice their past experiences, people are quick to dismiss and comment with, “it didn’t happen” or that we deserved it. Oh, the audacity. Racism and discrimination towards Asians have been deeply normalised in today’s culture, overlooked for decades to the point some refuse to even acknowledge it exists. Because of this, people don’t believe Asians experienced discrimination or hate crimes, turn a blind eye and justify racism as a harmless joke. At the same time, they believe they’re entitled to telling us how we should feel as if our voices don’t matter. I’ve read a lot of comments saying “who’s hating on Asians”. Those words had irked me. It’s exhausting to be denied, explain racism and having to validate our feelings.

Racism in the UK

stop asian hate is a virus mai linh — Illustration by Mai Linh

How many times have these exact, blatant racism or microaggressions been directed towards me?

How many times have I heard “Wong” jokes, or that people have laughed at my Chinese name because it has “Yuk” in it?

I’ve lost count but aren’t limited to those.

Ni hao, konnichiwa, something Brexit related, she has SARS, “it was a joke, stop being so sensitive”, kungfu noises, perpetuated Asian women stereotypes and plenty more. It’s not just words, actions too – the slanted eye gesture.

Just stop.

Growing up with these, I have learnt to shrug it off and not bite back because I don’t want any trouble or risk of being attacked. This is just a glimpse of not only my own childhood but also many others too. It doesn’t phase me anymore and have grown to be thick-skinned. You would have thought it would stop when I’m at university however you’re wrong. We have learnt to just “deal with it” hence this disgusting normalised culture that devalues us just because we’re different. It’s so normalised that there are many things that have never crossed my mind. For instance, “the term ‘immigrant’ has so many negative connotations but if a white person moves to another country – they’re considered an ‘expat'” (thanks to Chikay Lo for opening my mind to thought-provoking reflections like this).

Even to this very day, I’m having to act as a translator – a task the majority of first-generation foreign-born Asian carries out on a daily basis. Strangers have come up to me, telling me to speak English in public because I’m in the UK and they consider it rude. Furthermore, some even threatened me. In their eyes, I’m automatically foreign due to the difference in appearance. I stand out regardless of having a British accent. Situations like this fuels fire and hatred, wanting to force others to water down their so-called “foreignness” and culture. Multiculturism isn’t what it seems.

Being British born and raised, I’m not Chinese enough to be Chinese, yet not British enough to be British. So where does that leave me? That’s a story for another day. I can’t imagine what it is like for non-Chinese Asians to always be generalised and perceived as “Chinese”. I would love to know.

We’ve Had Enough

Asian is not a virus, racism is.
#StopAsianHate

Enough is enough. This #StopAsianHate movement isn’t about pitting one race against another or stirring up hate towards one; but to raise awareness, to speak up, to educate yourself, to not turn a blind eye. We need to work together to create change. Change starts with acceptance and awareness. Support your local Asian communities, check on your Asian friends, help amplify their voices, use yours, listen, to never stop showing solidarity – this is by no means a comprehensive list. Change is needed for ourselves and our future generations. Stop Asian Hate.