How to Help Stop Anti-Asian Racism and Hate in 2021

How to Help Stop Anti-Asian Racism and Hate in 2021

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, physical and verbal assaults against Asian people have been on the rise. These hate crimes are borne from a place of racism and misunderstanding, both of which can become violent in the wrong situations. We’ve compiled a few ways you can support Asian people in your community and protect them from hate crimes or violent outbursts. If you ever feel unsafe or see someone being threatened, call for emergency services right away.

Method 1 of 9:

Speak out against hateful behavior.

1. 
   If you see someone acting hatefully, let them know it’s not okay. If you feel safe doing so, call out their behavior and tell them that it won’t be tolerated. You can do this with strangers, acquaintances, and even your loved ones.^[1]

   • This is especially true for microaggressions, or racism that might be more subtle.
   • You could say something like, “Hey, I’m not sure if you meant to be racist back there, but what you said was not okay.”

Method 2 of 9:

Intervene if you witness a hate crime.

1. 
   Step in to help the victim and ask what they need. Ignore the perpetrator, and introduce yourself to the victim. Ask other people in the crowd to call the authorities if need be, and make sure the victim is safe before you leave the area.^[2]

   • For example, if you see someone getting harassed in public, approach them and say, “Hey, I’m Tim. Do you need any help?” Or, “Hi, I’m Melanie. Are you all right here, or do you wanna go somewhere else?”
   • Ask someone in the crowd for help by saying, “Hey, could you help us out for a minute? I’m afraid this guy might do something violent.” Or, “Hey, I need you to call the police. Tell them that someone is threatening violence.”

Method 3 of 9:

Report incidents to AAPI.

1. 
   They’re a group dedicated to stopping hate crimes in the United States. The Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Initiative tracks hate incidents and helps support victims, no matter who they are. If you witness a hate crime against an Asian American, head to the AAPI website and report it.^[3]

   • You can visit the AAPI website by clicking https://stopaapihate.org/.

Method 4 of 9:

Support community groups against hate.

1. Your area probably has a local group of its own. Oftentimes, community groups will hold solidarity events or fundraisers to support victims of hate. You can find the groups in your area by searching “Asian American solidarity group” + your area.^[4]

   • The most popular of these groups include the Coalition for Safety and Justice, the Chinese Progressive Association, and AAPI.

Method 5 of 9:

Educate yourself on anti-racism.

1. We can all continue to learn about the history of racism. Spend some time reading literature and looking at infographics about the hate that Asian Americans often receive. Or, watch a documentary detailing the history of hate in America.^[5]

   • Try reading “A Brief Timeline of Racism Against Asians in America” by visiting https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/asian-american-racism-covid.
   • Watch the PBS series Asian Americans by visiting https://www.pbs.org/weta/asian-americans/.
   • Download the Asian American Racial Justice Toolkit by visiting https://www.asianamtoolkit.org/the-toolkit.

Method 6 of 9:

Post anti-racism support on social media.

1. Educate your followers on what they can do to stop Asian hate. Use the hashtag #StopAsianHate or post an infographic detailing what people can do about anti-Asian racism. It will help start a conversation that’s centered around anti-Asian racism and bring awareness to the movement.^[6]

   • You can also search the hashtag #StopAsianHate for more information on how you can support victims of hate crimes.
   • If you’re going to repost an infographic, make sure you give credit to the original creator.

Method 7 of 9:

Correct misinformation you see online.

1. False information spreads quickly on the internet. If you see any posts about COVID-19 in relation to Asian Americans, leave a comment letting everyone know that it’s fake. You don’t have to be overly aggressive, but you should challenge the fake facts and provide real ones instead.^[7]

   • For instance, if you see someone posting that Asian people are more likely to get or spread COVID-19, you could say, “Actually, that isn’t true. COVID-19 doesn’t discriminate based on race, ethnicity, or nationality.”

Method 8 of 9:

Bring up anti-Asian racism in conversations.

1. Educate your loved ones on what’s going on in the world. It might be an uncomfortable conversation to have, but it’s super important. If you start with the people at home, you can spread information about stopping Asian hate and the history of anti-Asian racism in America.^[8]

   • Start the conversation by saying, “Hey, have you heard about the recent hate crimes in the city?”

Method 9 of 9:

Check in on your Asian American loved ones.

1. Let them know that you support them no matter what. You don’t have to make a huge deal about it (and don’t push it if they don’t want to talk), but you can bring it up in conversation. Tell them that you’ve heard about what’s going on and that they can let you know if they need anything.^[9]

   • Say something like, “Hey, I heard about the recent hate crimes. I just wanted to let you know that I’m here for you.”
   • Or, “If you ever feel unsafe walking around, I can always come with you to the store or the bus station. Just let me know.”

Tips

• Always listen to Asian people in your community, and let them tell you what they need.