Jessie Benedict, A01, Week 1

With coronavirus deemed a global pandemic, it seems like the world is on a standstill. Schools have switched to remote learning, non-essential businesses have stopped and travel is restricted. So many changes have happened in such a short period of time and everyone is doing their best to adapt to this new situation. It seems intuitive, then, that we would all be little more understanding and empathetic towards each other. However, instead of being united and helping each other out, racism is rearing its ugly head.

I first realized the severity of racism when news about a coronavirus-related racist attack on a Singaporean student in the UK circulated. One of the suspects shouted “I don’t want your coronavirus in my country” while the victim was punched multiple times in the face. Due to his injuries, he later had to undergo facial reconstructive surgery. When I read about this, I was shocked and saddened. While I understood that there were fears of coronavirus, it did not justify the use of violence or the act of racism. Unfortunately, since then, there has been a rise in coronavirus-related racist incidents all over the world. While I fortunately haven’t had such experiences, some of my friends studying overseas have been glared at, jeered at and spat at just for being Asian, causing some of them to be afraid of even stepping out of their houses. It’s rational to be afraid of contracting the virus, but it seems like people are using this fear as an excuse to execute racial attacks and creating unnecessary fear in the Asian community.

Everyone is struggling, in their own way, to deal with this pandemic. Instead of finding someone to blame and letting fear turn into unjustified anger and hatred, if everyone could combine their efforts to be kinder to one another and to support each other, it would make this situation a lot easier for people. Contribute to a loving community, not one fueled by prejudice.

Question: Why do some people think that it’s okay to be racist to others?

References:

Iau, J. (2020, March 7). More shock than anger: S'porean student opens up about Covid-19 racist attack in London. Retrieved from https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singaporean-student-in-london-seeks-eyewitnesses-after-coronavirus-related-taunt-and

Image: https://www.businessinsider.sg/virus-from-china-exposes-racism-in-america-coronavirus-us-2020-3?r=US&IR=T