California Legislature grants 1.4 million dollars toward tracking Asian-American hate crimes

Rising wave of violence and hate crimes toward the Asian-American community elicits response from USD’s Filipino Ugnayan Student Organization and Asian Students Association 

Taylor DeGuzman / Arts & Culture Editor / The USD Vista 

Racism, hate crimes, and xenophobia toward Asian Americans in the 21st century are not uncharted territory: they have long played a role in American history since the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, white mobs attacking Filipino farmworkers during the 1930s, and Japanese internment camps during the 1940s. 

In acknowledging systemic racism and white privilege in America, Asian Americans are often erased from the narrative; what usually alienates Asian Americans is the model minority myth. The model minority myth perpetuates the stereotype that all Asian Americans are successful and prosperous. And in being held to this standard, Asian Americans’ perceived proximity to whiteness removes them from being heard and seen in a world where anti-Asian racism still exists. 

Josen Diaz, Ph.D., professor of ethnic studies, with a focus on Asian-American studies and Filipino and Filipino-American studies, delved deeper into how the model minority myth negatively impacts other marginalized communities. 

“The model minority came out during a time of necessity in the 60s, 70s, and 80s, that framed Asian Americans as this hard-working, deeply successful group, but always at the expense of other minority groups, mainly Black Americans, Latinx Americans, and communities like those,” Diaz said. “It shapes how people perceive Asian Americans; that they’re this group that hasn’t experienced a lot of difficulty or trauma and don’t need help, and I think Asian Americans really internalize it.” 

Because many Asian Americans internalize the model minority myth, Diaz explained that in some ways it can contribute to the lack of reporting Asian-American hate crimes, for fear of getting in trouble or causing more problems. Many incidents go widely unreported. 

However, after more than 2,800 reported incidents of racism and discrimination targeting Asian Americans, from March 19 to Dec. 31, 2020, and a 150% increase in hate crimes toward Asian Americans from 2019 to 2020, California took action to support the community and address rising anti-Asian sentiment during COVID-19. 

California lawmakers approved 1.4 million dollars toward helping to track and research the rising rate of hate crimes toward the Asian-American community. 

Many applaud Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee, for his efforts in securing the funding as part of AB 85, which provides additional resources for California’s ongoing pandemic response. 

Gov. Gavin Newsom officially signed AB 85 on February 23. The 1.4 million dollars will specifically help “Stop AAPI Hate,” a reporting center that tracks incidents of hate, violence, harassment, and discrimination against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI).

Many of these attacks are affecting Asian-American elders, who are often helpless and vulnerable. On Jan. 31, an 84-year old man who immigrated from Thailand to San Francisco was on his morning walk, when he was violently shoved to the ground by a young man. He later passed away due to injuries from the attack. In Oakland’s Chinatown, footage captured a 91-year old senselessly pushed to the ground by a man who would later be identified and arrested by Oakland Police. These publicized attacks have shaken the Asian-American community and especially USD’s Asian-American community. 

Junior Anica Quizon, Filipino Ugnayan Student Organization’s (FUSO) Vice President Internal, shared her reaction to the recent attacks. 

Quizon said. “It’s heartbreaking to see people enjoy Asian food, Asian culture, and claim to love their Asian friends, but are so quick to overlook violence that threatens the Asian community.” 

Diaz delved deeper into how Anti-Asian rhetoric has had a vast impact on anti-Asian sentiment, especially during COVID-19.  

“Things like the ‘Kung Fu virus’ and the ‘China virus’ have such a negative impact … words have an impact, whether we can directly see it or not,” Diaz said. “We saw statistics that showed how at the start of COVID coming to the United States there was a spike in anti-Asian violence, and that’s not a coincidence, that’s a causal effect.” 

As an Asian American, Quizon has felt an immense amount of grief and defeat that her community, organization, and family have felt before, and continue to feel during these times. 

“It’s heartbreaking to watch people who look like you or like your parents and grandparents become victims of racial violence,” Quizon said. “It’s difficult to navigate predominantly white spaces as it is, but with the pandemic, anti-Asian sentiment has become more apparent and has made it harder to feel comfortable and safe.”  

Quizon explained that FUSO will continue to emphasize its efforts to “provide a community and safe space on campus for Asian students,” and other students who are seeking a sense of belonging. 

FUSO addressed the wave of violence toward the Asian American community in their statement: “These hate crimes are a direct consequence of how the model minority myth has upheld white supremacy and normalized racism against Asian Americans. The Filipino Ugnayan Student Organization at the University of San Diego condemns any form of racism toward marginalized communities, including the violence against the Asian American community.” 

USD’s Asian Students Association (ASA) also expressed their concerns regarding rising anti-Asian sentiment and violence in the community. Co-president of ASA, junior Sally Ryu, addressed what needs to be done in order for the Asian-American community to feel seen and supported through such difficult times. 

“I think we need to continue to share and educate those around us, especially through social media,” Ryu said. “We can also take action, even make small podcasts or create content that promotes Asian-American businesses and spread awareness this way.” 

Ryu was surprised by a large number of hate crimes and incidents toward the Asian-American community since last Spring. 

“It just shows how many AAPI individuals are being affected by hate crimes and how it is not being brought up in the media or news outlets,” Ryu said. “It does not get enough attention and it hurts to see our community hurt.”  

The most important thing to do amidst these recent attacks on the Asian-American community is to “listen,” says junior, Brittany Le, member of ASA. 

“By listening to the stories of the victims of racism and opening our minds to new perspectives, we can further synthesize a better understanding of what anti-racism means to us,” Le said. 

In their statement, ASA addressed their community’s concerns: 

“We often feel helpless because of our limited representation in the media and our issues are often overlooked. Certain rhetoric, such as the usage of the term ‘Chinese virus’ by former President Trump, has done nothing but further, alienate and marginalize Asian-Americans. Moving forward, we should listen to and validate the stories of those who faced instances of oppression and violent crime.” 

The “Stop AAPI Hate” website allows all individuals to “Act Now” and report any hate incident toward the AAPI community.