Anna Wong, who had lived in Los Angeles her entire adult life without encountering overt racism, was suddenly faced with two incidents of discrimination within six months after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. On her first encounter, a woman shouted at her in a Bed Bath & Beyond store to “stay six feet away,” accompanied by derogatory language. The second occurrence involved a passenger in a car blaming her with an ethnic slur for the global situation. Wong, distressed by these incidents, did not report them but became increasingly concerned about the visibility of her Asian identity. She reflected on the situation, noting she felt uneasy going out due to fear of attracting unwanted attention.
Her experiences came nearly a century after her aunt, Anna May Wong, a trailblazing Asian American actress who also faced racial discrimination. Reports of anti-Asian abuse surged during the pandemic, with a significant increase from March 2020 to the end of 2021, prompting the creation of Stop AAPI Hate, an initiative to document and address these issues. This organization also played a role in legislative actions like the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act and motivated young Asian Americans to advocate against xenophobia.
In the ensuing years, while the frequency of reported incidents to Stop AAPI Hate has decreased, the problem persists, underscoring ongoing concerns in an environment marked by policies affecting minority communities. Former President Donald Trump’s administration was criticized for using racially charged language concerning the virus. More recently, there have been efforts or accidental actions that seem to erase or overlook Asian American contributions and history, adding to the community’s worries.
Manjusha Kulkarni, co-founder of Stop AAPI Hate, alongside Cynthia Choi and Russell Jeung, set out to gather testimonies from Asian Americans encountering racial hostility. Their efforts were met with an overwhelming response, showing how significant the problem had become. This data helped in the establishment of certain state laws in California aiming to protect against hate in public locations and transportation systems.
Reports collected by Stop AAPI Hate since 2020 showcase a continual need for awareness and action against racism, with incidents being reported well into 2023. Studies have found that about one-third of Asian Americans experienced racial abuse in the past year. In addition, an FBI analysis identified a portion of hate crimes in the U.S. involving anti-Asian sentiment.
There has been a notable surge in advocacy from within the community, especially after 2020. Many young Asian Americans like William Diep have taken active roles in raising awareness about racism, sharing stories, and building solidarity. He questions whether there are sufficient structures in place to protect Asian American rights and heritage as the political climate evolves.
Stop AAPI Hate continues to receive some federal funding but aims to sustain its activities independent of external restrictions. Kulkarni expresses hope and confidence that the community has become more resilient and better prepared to confront current and future challenges. The organization has expanded its focus to encompass issues such as citizenship, education, and immigrants’ rights, remaining committed to its core values and mission.