Student Activism : A Response to #AsianHate

Asian American student groups are finding their voice and demanding change. They seek action from their institutions and society at large to address bias and racism towards Asian Americans. Below are examples of how Asian American college students are rising up and a university acknowledging that discrimination remains hidden.

Source: The Chronicle of Higher Education

College and university campuses were not immune to incidents of hate and discrimination against Asian American students (Diep, 2021). The murder of six female Asian Americans in the Atlanta area on March 16, 2021, heightened the national conversation surrounding the surge of anti-Asian sentiments (Diep, 2021). Student activists want more than just words, they want “sustainable courses of action” (Diep, 2021). This includes creating Asian studies courses, hiring Asian mental health professionals, and creating Asian cultural centers (Diep, 2021).

What Asian American Student Activists Want

Source: Emory University

Emory University - Four Asian American students delivered a thoughtful opinion piece on Asian American student activism at Emory University. Cheng et al. state the lack of recognition of the work of Asian American student activists on campus by the University and the Emory Wheel publication. The authors describe the absence in reporting the work done by Asian American students during anti-Vietnam war protests (Cheng et al., 2021). The article goes further to provide historical context to Asian American student activism at other universities and at Emory to address the needs of this marginalized population. Cheng et al. recognize recent efforts in hiring Asian American faculty and staff to address diversity issues, but they critique The Emory Wheel's coverage of it.

Emory University - Asian American Activism

Source: Duke University Archives

Approximately 30% of the student population at Duke University identifies as Asian/Asian American as of 2016 (Ko, 2016). Duke's Asian American students were not immune to racism and bigotry on campus. Incidents included cartoons depicting Korean students eating dogs to "yellowface" fraternity parties with mocking characterizations of Asians. These events acted as a catalyst for discussions on race (Ko, 2016). Duke University recently established an Asian and Middle East Studies department to address student calls for representation in the academy as an area of research and education.