U.S. Representative Judy Chu of California joined House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and bipartisan lawmakers this week to address a disturbing surge in anti-Asian discrimination, with reported hate crimes rising sharply since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Over 10,000 incidents have been documented nationwide since 2020, according to advocacy group Stop AAPI Hate.
The lawmakers emphasized that racist rhetoric linking COVID-19 to Asian communities has fueled attacks—from verbal harassment to physical violence—particularly in cities like New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. “This is about recognizing our common humanity,” Chu stated during a press conference, urging federal action to combat bias-driven violence.
Data from the National Bureau of Asian Research shows a 150% spike in anti-Asian sentiment online during pandemic peaks. Meanwhile, grassroots organizations are expanding crisis hotlines and community patrols. The House passed the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act last year, but advocates argue systemic solutions must address root causes of xenophobia.
As travel resumes globally, experts warn similar discrimination patterns could emerge worldwide. “This isn’t just a U.S. issue—it’s about how societies scapegoat during crises,” said Dr. Amita Patel, a sociologist tracking hate speech trends across G20 nations.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
