Linda Huang / Edge columnist
Since the COVID-19 caused several lockdowns, people’s living environment has significantly changed. Many social problems, such as racial discrimination have successively emerged.
As shown in “Reel to Reel: Asian, but Not Really” in Global News, “Student filmmaker Tiffany Yau turns the spotlight on anti-Asian racism in her short film ‘Asian, but Not Really’.” Yau expressed her own experience as an Asian who grew up in a western country, to make people pay great attention to anti-Asian racism.
From a youth’s perspective, she touched on many powerful messages on stop Asian racism. As Yau stated in the interview in Global news, she highlighted the topics about Asian racism and focused on teen’s confusion of their identity. It is imperative to encourage people to snap out of racism and moving on.
As the epidemic keeps repeating, more Asians have started going through different levels of racism. As reported in Simon Little and Paul Johnson’s article “43% of Asians in B.C. experienced racism in the last year, 87% say it’s getting worse: Poll” in Global News, “The poll found an overwhelming majority Asians living in B.C. feel racism has worsened over the course of the pandemic, along with genuine concern things won’t get better any time soon.”
Anti-Asian racism is in a crisis stage right now. It is also seen to be extensive and getting worse among Asian British Columbians. Insights West president Steve Mossop said: “It is even more alarming to see the proportion of individuals who have directly experienced racist behaviours in this past year of the pandemic relative to the rest of their life here in B.C.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a spike in hate crimes and violence against people of Asian descent around the world. If the citizens and the government do not take any measures against this matter, it could cause many Asians to bear mental burdens due to the severity of the previous racist crimes.
As reported in Ryan Patrick Jones’s article “Asian Canadians see flaws in federal anti-racism strategy” in CBC News, “There are more than 1,150 instances of anti-Asian racism were reported through two websites. Canadians with Asian backgrounds were more likely to report increased racial or ethnic harassment during the pandemic than the rest of the population.”
If these racisms keep happening, it is going to have a huge impact on society. When people encountered discrimination, they need to stop it right away. Everyone should transmit the right thoughts of racial equality. Moreover, the government should all condemn these actions, and then follow up with action to ensure that they address these issues.
As for the youth, they need to be aware of a correct and equal view of the world. With good educations, they should speak for themselves and restrain anti-Asian racism.
As stated in Jones’s article, “Advocates for Asian Canadians are calling for improvements to the federal government’s anti-racism strategy to confront a surge in anti-Asian racism.” They should develop concrete actions to address the racism of all forms.
Sources:
Reel to Real: ‘Asian, but Not Really’
Asian Canadians see flaws in federal anti-racism strategy
Canadians must stand up against ‘unacceptable’ rise in anti-Asian racism: minister
43% of Asians in B.C. experienced racism in the last year, 87% say it’s getting worse: Poll
Images:
March against anti-Asian racism
Vancouver stop Asian hate activity
Data of racism in every province
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