Tanvi Chopra ASA2 A01 Week 1

Tanvi Chopra
ASA 2 - A01
Week 1

The coronavirus is being called the 'Chinese virus'. At a time where there should be unity among people to fight against this pandemic, many are resorting to racism and discrimination against Asian Americans. In 'Fight The Tower', we see the oppressive working conditions that various female Asian American workers had to experience. Similarly, during this pandemic, many Asians Americans have been facing multiple verbal and physical attacks.

Members of the Asian American Commission held a press conference on the steps of the Massachusetts State House on March 12 in Boston to condemn racism toward Asian Americans because of the new coronavirus. 

John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

They have to fight against the pandemic like everyone else, however, they are also forced to fight these attacks of racism and discrimination. The leader of this country has called it the 'Chinese virus.' There have been reported incidents of smashed windows and racist graffitis in Seattle and many racial attacked are expected throughout the United States as people's response to coronavirus. Why is it that the majority of the population simply need to find someone to blame? Why is it that we cannot support one another in this trying situation? The simple fact is that attacking Asian American workers will not help cure coronavirus in any way. Asian Americans are already facing health risk like all of us; however, they are also facing risk of physical harm. They are living scared in their own country.

Question: How to respond when someone says it is the Chinese virus, it is their fault?
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Peng, S. (2020, April 10). Smashed windows and racist graffiti: Vandals target Asian Americans amid coronavirus. Retrieved from https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/smashed-windows-racist-graffiti-vandals-target-asian-americans-amid-coronavirus-n1180556

(n.d.). Retrieved from https://abcnews.go.com/US/fbi-warns-potential-surge-hate-crimes-asian-americans/story?id=69831920

Frias, L. (2020, March 20). A virus originating from China exposes blatant racism in America as the US struggles to respond to the coronavirus. Retrieved from https://www.businessinsider.com/virus-from-china-exposes-racism-in-america-coronavirus-us-2020-3

Valverde, K.-L. C., & Dariotis, W. M. (2020). Fight the tower: Asian American women scholars resistance and renewal in the academy. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press.