Research
history
From a historical standpoint, there has been long-standing tension and bias between Americans and Asian-Americans. For instance, in 1852 California imposed a Foreign Miners Tax targeted exclusively towards Asian-Americans who participated in the Gold Rush. This tax was imposed in an effort to discourage Asian-American immigrants from thriving economically under the California Gold Rush. Also, the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 prohibited the entry of all Chinese into the United States and formed an anti-Chinese pressure in the U.S. This anti-Chinese pressure further escalated tension between Asian-Americans and Americans In addition, western culture is very different from Asian cultures, as the two have contrasting traditions and practices. The differences in culture further make it difficult for both Americans and new immigrants to accept and mesh with each other.
MODERN DAY
2100
anti-Asian hate crimes reported
from March to June, 2020
31%
of Asian-Americans have faced racist slurs or jokes
in July 2020
Today, Asian Americans still face an inequity of resources that stems from anti-Asian bias anti-Asian bias. The brokenness of the current system is especially apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic. During COVID-19 there was an increase in hate crimes toward Asian Americans. There were 2,100 anti-Asian hate crimes reported from March to June of 2020. In contrast, according to the 2019 Hate Crime Statistics released by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, there were only about 217 anti-Asian hate crimes reported during the year 2019. There has been a sharp increase in anti-Asian hate crimes during the COVID-19 pandemic as a result of the anti-immigration, racist, and white supremacist ideologies. This increase in hate crimes has made Asian Americans fearful to seek health and financial assistance during the pandemic. As a result, they are disconnected from resources as the system prioritizes the needs of white Americans. A study conducted by Pew Research in July 2020 revealed that Asian adults in America have faced more racism and less support than any other race during the pandemic. In the study, 31% of Asian Americans have faced racist slurs or jokes and 28% have received support from others. This contrasts with, respectively, the 21% and 51% for African Americans, 15% and 29% Hispanic and Latin Americans, and 8% of racist slurs for white-Americans.
"The China Virus"
President Donald Trump has also referred to the coronavirus countless times as “the China Virus,” implying that China is to blame for the spread of the virus. Accordingly, a Harvard study for implicit bias has shown that anti-Asian bias has increased despite 13 years of steady decline following the popularization of the term “the China Virus.” Asian Americans have faced low support during COVID-19, as Americans have been fearful of contracting the coronavirus that was first diagnosed in Wuhan, China, and, thus, limit contact with Asian Americans and their businesses.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the numbers of unemployed Asian Americans have skyrocketed from 2.5% in August 2019 to 25.6% in May 2020.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the numbers of unemployed Asian Americans have skyrocketed from 2.5% in August 2019 to 25.6% in May 2020. Unemployment rates among Asians were previously the lowest amongst all populations, but have now become the highest due to the pandemic. The heightened racism and xenophobia toward Asian Americans during this time have been emotionally and financially detrimental for Asian Americans. This notion that Asian Americans are foreigners and are stealing resources has been long ingrained in the minds of non-Asian Americans, causing an inequitable distribution of resources allocated toward Asian Americans.
The issue described also continues to affect in particular low-income Asian-Americans who are not proficient in English. According to an article from Urban Institute, in 2014, of the 17.9% living in poverty in New York City, 29% were Asian Americans. Also Pew Research Center reported that in 2015, only 59% of Asian-Americans were proficient in English. In other words, Asian-Americans with low income often struggle with a language barrier, as many never received education beyond the high school level in their native countries. As a result, they have difficulties adjusting to American society and struggle in poverty because they have difficulties expressing their needs and opinions.
MANIFESTATION
The issue described manifests in itself through the lack of Asian Americans that stand up and fight for themselves and others alike, the lack of policies passed that support Asian Americans, and the continued ignorance and bias toward Asian-Americans. Due this, Asian-American immigrants, in particular, those with low income, face a lack of access to resources such as food, health care, housing, education, etc. in order to thrive in America.