Hate Crimes Against Asian Americans (Free Essay Example)

“‘I’m tired of how Asians in this country are treated — pushed around literally and figuratively. This is why I’ve decided I’m done being your model minority.’” [Patricia Park - for The New York Times] Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a significant surge of hate crimes against Asian Americans. With an increase of 339 percent nationwide, they have been subjected to slashings, stabbings, brutal beatings, assaults, robberies, and the list goes on. As the pandemic continues, so has racist rhetoric, fueling these attacks. With such drastic jumps in hate crimes against Asian Americans, little to no action has been taken. Many diverse communities have rallied together with Asian Americans to condemn the violence they have been subjected to, yet hate crime charges are so few and far between. When will we start seeing proper action being taken against perpetrators? Hate crimes against marginalized populations can be decreased by beginning educational efforts in schools, with young children. Additionally, perpetrators must be held accountable, rather than being handed light sentences that don’t include a hate crime charge. Most importantly, action needs to be taken against such racist rhetoric propagated by elected officials and those in power. Denouncing this behavior shows that racist and xenophobic behavior will not be tolerated, and such behavior will be held accountable.

An imperative step in decreasing hate crimes against marginalized populations is taking action against racial verbal attacks spread by those in power, who holds such a strong influence. It is important to hold those in power to high standards. President Trump’s inflammatory rhetoric helped lead to the rise in racism and xenophobia. A single tweet calling the virus “The Chinese Virus” perpetuated the racially motivated assaults toward Asian Americans. If those in power educated themselves and informed citizens of truthful information, it would not contribute to such harmful behaviour towards marginalized communities. With comments made by individuals with such strong political influence, it models that these xenophobic remarks are justified. What kind of message does this send to those watching? To the children who are easily swayed? When racist names like “Kung-Flu” or “Chinese Flu” are used, it justifies verbal attacks. If especially the president of a country can verbally attack minorities without consequences, then are physical attacks also justified? This has been shown time and time again where countless assaults towards Asian Americans and offenders have been able to walk away free of any hate crime charges. To decrease the hate crimes towards members of marginalized communities, we must start with those spreading misinformation – with our politicians. Elected officials and leaders in our communities can be important allies in doing so.

“... Arrested last week in connection with a string of attacks against Asian women.” [The City] With such a high number of hate crimes, including repeat offenders, why has nothing been done? “In fact, since Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark took control of the office in 2016, through 2020, just a single hate crime arrest out of a total of 92 resulted in a hate crime conviction.” [The City] What message does this send to minority communities when offenders walk away with such light sentences? It shows that law enforcement views it lightly. It shows that severe action will not be taken because there isn’t ‘enough evidence to prosecute’. This is not good enough. How can people feel safe enough to walk the streets in their communities without the fear of being racially attacked? If no actions are being taken, how can we ensure offenders won’t re-offend? How can we ensure that people won’t?

Moreover, by beginning educational programs for young children, it can bring light to hate crimes and safety measures. Beginning steps that can be taken are, educating kids on what hate crimes are, safety and preventative measures. Since the rise of hate crimes against Asian Americans, many have feared not only their lives but also the lives of their children. Mothers especially have been hesitant in bringing their children out with them. Training children in preventative measures gives them the chance to fight back, and get the necessary help. Not only do hate crimes occur in public, unprovoked, but they can also happen in our schools, where students are targeted for their racial-ethnic background contributing to bullying and racial remarks. By educating students they learn that no one community should ever be targeted.

As a community, we need to come together and pressure our leaders to step forward and take the necessary efforts in protecting minority communities who have been targeted and used as scapegoats. It is time we start holding leaders accountable for the misinformation they’ve spread. It is time to start holding offenders accountable. By doing so and handing out sentences that are just, it sends a clear message – that racial attacks toward any community will not be tolerated. I am tired of how Asian Americans are treated in this country, and it is about time we start fighting for our Asian American communities.