Abigail Kim - Editor
With the pandemic as a daily reminder looming over our heads, we tend to try and ignore the pressing current issues to focus on the more happy aspects of our lives. And although the pandemic is an alarming problem already, we need to bring ourselves back to reality and look at one social issue that has been elevated since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic: the social injustice and racism aimed towards Asian Americans and Asians alike.
“I’ve heard of Asian Americans being beat up and attacked or even shot at and it just makes me upset that there are people out there who actually commit such atrocities, and I really wish that people would stop blaming it on us and just learn to stay indoors and wait for this all of this to be over,” explained Sophomore Ryan Lee.
Indeed, there are many cases across the country where Asian Americans have reportedly been attacked/assaulted during this pandemic. There are a myriad of online statements, where people have stated their aggression towards Asian Americans, claiming that the pandemic was their fault. Though these claims make no logical sense, it’s still hard to see them being acted upon in real life.
“Before the massive shutdown when the fear of COVID-19 was rising, my mom and I were at a Sam’s Club checkout line. When it was our turn, the lady at the register looked up at us and immediately stopped my mom when she handed her the credit card, asking for a second to put on some gloves. She had not put on the gloves to serve the two customers in front of us, who were both Caucasian. My mom asked her why she suddenly put on the gloves, and the cashier responded saying she might get the virus. Though this is nothing compared to the violent attacks faced by many Asians, this is enough to prove that negative sentiments towards Asian Americans are growing,” said one concerned senior.
“One day I was eating out with my mom, brother and cousin. We sat down, and I decided to cough as a joke. People began turning around, staring and whispering at each other when they saw me,” said Freshman Tommy Pi.
Though these stories are severe in their own degrees, as mentioned before, they aren’t the worst. The mere fact that people already discriminate against Asian Americans because of their Asian lineage is enough, but with the added knowledge that a new virus arose from the eastern continent has brought up even more negative dispositions against Asian Americans. Even after the pandemic is over and done with, it’s not a difficult feat to admit that the racism against Asian Americans will continue to occur because of it.
“People will continue to make these jokes and comments even after this is all over. That’s just how society and human nature behave,” claimed Sophomore Ashley Kim.
“I think the discrimination against Asian Americans will calm a bit after the pandemic, but I think it’s a pretty inevitable thing that others will look at Asians differently, regardless of whether they show it publicly or not,” said Sophomore Isabel Ahn.
Negative sentiment against Asian Americans is an issue throughout the history of civilization, but through the pandemic they have elevated to alarming levels with unreasonable bases. The pandemic will end, but it’s very likely that Asian Americans will continue to be unfairly discriminated against as time continues on.
Amidst the pandemic, my family takes daily walks to get a breath of fresh air. We get a lot of stares and whispers from behind our backs.