Why Are Asians and Chinese Americans Frequent Targets of Pandemic-Fueled Racism?

Fear is the breeding ground for racism and xenophobia. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated social tensions, with some individuals directing their fears through racialized and discriminatory behaviors that disproportionately affect certain communities, leading to a surge in racially motivated incidents.

Recently, Asian American students from American University shared their disturbing encounters in a viral video.

Analysis of 100 cases reveals that women report discrimination three times more frequently than men. Among targeted Asians, Chinese account for 40% of victims. The breakdown of discrimination types includes: verbal harassment (67.3%), deliberate avoidance (23.5%), and physical assault (10%). Most incidents occur in business settings, parks, public transit, and online spaces.

Jenny Wong: "People would refuse to share elevators with me. When I wore masks to class, classmates would sit several seats away, avoiding all contact."

Aykys Salchak: "While walking, I heard someone yell 'Coronavirus!' at me. Others would cover their faces when seeing me with friends."

Xinyi Wu: "At a store buying disinfectants, staff kept questioning: 'Where are you from? Why are you masked? Do you have COVID?'"

Minkyu Sung: "My Uber driver canceled the ride upon realizing I'm Asian."

"Store employees would follow me, immediately sanitizing products I touched. It's dehumanizing."

Samantha Chai: "As the only masked passenger on a flight to DC, the family in front secretly photographed me while I slept. The flash woke me, and they pretended nothing happened."

While these students' experiences occurred in the Washington area, data from the AAPI Policy Council shows DC, Maryland and Virginia collectively account for only 2% of reported cases. California bears the brunt with 31.8% of nationwide incidents.

Valley Brook Tea in downtown DC opened in February 2020, only to close weeks later due to pandemic restrictions. After reopening in May, the business was finally recovering when targeted by a racist attack.

On November 10, a young man shouted "Chinese tea!" and "COVID!" across the street before storming into the teahouse. When the owner reached for pepper spray in self-defense, the assailant produced his own and attacked first.

"The burning sensation in my nose, mouth and arms lasted hours. I struggled to breathe while calling for help outside, but the street was empty," the owner recounted.

The teahouse reopened next day. Police classified it as an anti-Asian hate crime, releasing surveillance footage to seek public assistance.

Systemic racism persists in America. During the pandemic, some politicians scapegoated China and Asians for COVID spread. Alongside the virus, racist rhetoric proliferated on social media while physical attacks against Asians skyrocketed.

In Brooklyn's Chinese enclave, an 89-year-old woman was slapped and set on fire in July while walking near her Bensonhurst home.

The victim told ABC she didn't know her attacker, who made no attempt to steal. Police found no evidence of targeted hate speech but continue manhunt efforts.

San Francisco actor Daniel Wu responded: "When a 90-year-old woman is attacked and set ablaze in a racially motivated assault, it must be prosecuted as a hate crime. We must stand together against this hatred." He offered $15,000 reward for information leading to arrest.

From subway assaults to vandalized businesses, Chinese Americans demand not just safety, but dignity and respect.

Speaking Out Against Injustice

Why do Asians—especially Chinese—face disproportionate targeting? Stereotypes portray Chinese Americans as wealthy cash-carriers, making them vulnerable during social upheavals like the pandemic and BLM protests. Chinatowns often become epicenters of such violence.

The Chinese diaspora responds with measured defiance. Silence only emboldens perpetrators. While combating COVID, overseas Chinese unite through social media and grassroots campaigns to confront racism.

"Asians must collectively oppose discrimination through legal channels," urged Zhang Sujiu, honorary chair of South California Chinese American organizations. "Report every incident to authorities."

We are Asian, not "silent minorities". Justice comes only through active resistance, not passive endurance.

Unity is our strongest weapon. Across America, Chinese communities self-organize to combat racism and amplify their voices in mainstream discourse.

While fighting for justice, we must also safeguard our physical and property security. Both dignity and safety are non-negotiable.

iTalkBB cares about protecting your family and home.

Our Aijia Home Security line, endorsed by Olympic volleyball coach Lang Ping, delivers trusted protection.

With 17 years in America, iTalkBB operates nationwide showrooms offering Chinese-English-Cantonese security solutions tailored for our community.

Previous    |    Next

∧     Back to News