Bay Area community members stand up against recent rise in anti-Asian hate crimes

“An ongoing battle against unwarranted & unacceptable racism”

%28Photo+taken+Tuesday%2C+March+9%2C+2021%29+San+Fransiscos+famous+Chinatown+begins+to+open+back+up+to+the+public+after+months+of+Covid-19+shut+down.+

Soumya Sahay

(Photo taken Tuesday, March 9, 2021) San Fransisco’s famous Chinatown begins to open back up to the public after months of Covid-19 shut down.

In the past year, hate crimes against Asian-Americans have increased by nearly 150% in major cities, so people and organizations throughout the Bay Area have decided to take a stand.  

People have every reason to be pushing for change. Between the beginning of the pandemic–around March–and the end of 2020, at least 708 anti-Asian hate crimes were reported in the Bay Area alone. Asian-Americans have been forced to feel afraid during their day-to-day lives. 

SF assemblyman Phil Ting addresses the problem head-on

AVJ Staff

San Francisco assemblyman Phil Ting is one of the many people working towards ending anti-Asian violence. He and fellow lawmakers have approved $1.4 million to help fund education and research on anti-Asian crimes. 

“The rise in hate incidents against Asian Americans during the pandemic is alarming. But, we can’t solve a problem without knowing how big it is. New state funding allows the data gathering to continue, and the research will ultimately lead us to solutions that will make all communities safer,” said assemblymember Phil Ting on his website. 

Youth group “Dear Asian Youth” spreads awareness of the issue

The Tri-Valley chapter of the organization Dear Asian Youth is doing their part to fight violence against Asian-Americans, and spread awareness through social media. 

“I feel like the rise is anti-Asian violence is most definitely unwarranted, no matter where it is in the world. We are a progressive society and it is really saddening to hear about all these hate crimes…it makes me wonder how rooted racism is in the subconscious mind for people to actually commit those hate crimes, and it’s also scary because now I fear for the lives of the ones I love whenever we go outside,” said local DAY treasurer Emily Yang (‘22). 

This fear has pushed local Asian-American students and allies to stand up against this violence and do what they can to make the Bay safer for its many Asian-American inhabitants. 

“Dear Asian Youth is a student-led organization that aims to uplift the voices of Asian-Americans,” said local DAY marketing/design leader Marina Lee (’22). 

DAY as an organization is working to broaden perspectives and break down stereotypes that are commonly assumed around Asian-Americans. 

“We’ve just added a diversity and education force on the national team…It really works to incorporate all of that wide umbrella and get a big perspective and help AA become more represented and help people understand the big issue,” said Jasmine Chen, another Tri-Valley DAY leader. 

These Asian-American youths are doing all they can to take COVID-19 precautions and still help their community. This involves a lot of social media outreach. 

“We’re working on partnering with other organizations…We’re planning to also just post more on our social media to bring awareness and hopefully partner with another organization that has a similar mission so that we can reach more people and bring awareness,” said Lee.

While these students are doing their best to spread their message, they feel that they aren’t being heard. The Asian-American community is not one that is seen as being oppressed in the same manner as the Black community is, and these harmful stereotypes often lead people to pay less attention to anti-Asian violence. 

Yang expressed shock over the racism she always expected to receive and the violence the world has encountered. While Asian-American youths are always taught to stand tall through microaggressions and discrimiation, blatant violence is not something they were told to expect. 

“The first step definitely has to do with people like Joe Biden and also celebrities because when they speak up, people who don’t know about it will also know about it as well, and also just people who are allies of the Asian community,” said Yang

ABC-7 reporter Dion Lim spreads the word 

Luckily, groups like DAY have allies in the media. ABC-7 reporter and anchor Dion Lim has been using her platform to address anti-Asian violence and amplify the voices of victims. She has conducted numerous interviews with the families of Asian-American victims of hate crimes, and continues to push for more coverage of their stories

“Nothing is quite as impactful while covering it as someone who looks like yourself being assaulted. There’s something that really resonates with me when you see someone being beat down, shoved or being called racial slurs who looks like you,” said Lim in an interview with AVT reporters. 

AVT student journalist Renna Popli sat down with ABC-7 reporter Dion Lim to discuss her recent coverage of specific hateful instances against older Asian-American citizens in the last few months. (Soumya Sahay)

The huge rise in anti-Asian violence that occurred during the past year can be partially attributed to the negative stereotypes regarding COVID-19 being perpetuated in the media. 

“In the beginning of the pandemic we saw a lot of hatred towards Asian-Americans based off of the fact that our president at the time, Donald Trump, was calling it the ‘China Virus.’ That perpetuated some very negative and hurtful stereotypes: calling Asian-Americans the China Virus or that we have the Kung Flu and are the reason why so many people are getting sick,” said Lim

As a reporter, Liim expressed pride in those who are using their voices to spread information and bring light to cases of anti-Asian violence. 

“Now, after the wave of hate that we saw early in the pandemic, more people are speaking out on social media. They are sharing, they feel a little bit more empowered, they feel bolder to use their voice…This has been going on for decades and probably hundreds of years, it’s just never had so much attention,” said Lim

Many people feel hopeless, and they aren’t sure how they can help with such a large scale issue. 

“Even though you’re a young person and you may not have the platform that someone like I do has…There are things you can do on a micro level, and I always encourage young people to speak out in different ways…Share articles, do your research, educate.

Speaking out is half the battle, because when you see something happening–whether it be your workplace, or at school, or in public–that’s not right, interject!

Let that other person who’s being attacked know that ‘Hey, someone’s in your corner,’” said Lim.

For more information regarding the fight against anti-Asian violence, check out our discussion with ABC-7 News journalist Dion Lim, and visit this link to listen to the 15 minute podcast produced by AVT reporter Renna Popli.

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  • (Photo taken Saturday, March 13, 2021) The Chinese American Citizens Alliance building can be found in Oakland, California’s Chinatown, with the purpose of fighting against racial discrimination and preserving Asian culture within the Oakland community.

  • (Photo taken Saturday, March 13, 2021) This mural can be found in Oakland’s Chinatown, depicting a strong Chinese woman in combat, providing hope to local citizens each and every day.

  • (Photo taken Saturday, March 13, 2021) Chinatown is often seen as a safe haven for the Asian-American community. The elderly are able to purchase their groceries from familiar store owners while local youth are able to maintain a connection with their culture.

  • (Photo taken Saturday, March 13, 2021) Here, the Chinese Community Methodist Church is depicted in the heart of Oakland’s Chinatown. As their website describes, “[Their] church family…is also comprised of many who are new to this country but also those who are fourth generation born in America and even the Bay Area.” Community members feel safe to practice their religion with members who share their same cultural heritage, a home within a home.

  • (Photo taken Saturday, March 13, 2021) Unfortunately, though many community members consider Oakland’s chinatown a safe, culturally thriving street, others take advantage of their vulnerability. On the corner of Harrison and 8th in early February of 2021, an 81 year old Asian man was pushed to the ground with racist intent. Police officers reveal that the suspect later did the same to other elderly Asian American citizens in the area.

  • (Photo taken Tuesday, March 9, 2021) San Fransisco’s famous Chinatown begins to open back up to the public after months of Covid-19 shut down.

  • (Photo taken Tuesday, March 9, 2021) San Fransisco is famous for it’s prevalent Asian American community, ranked 1st above New York City by USA Today for its beautiful Chinatown.

  • (Photo taken Tuesday, March 9, 2021) As beautiful and active as San Fransisco’s Chinatown may be, it’s high ranking status also makes SF Chinatown a target for Asian-American hate crimes, especially within the last year amidst the coronavirus.

  • (Photo taken Tuesday, March 9, 2021) The Washington Post writes, “They gather almost every night at San Francisco’s Dragon Gate, the ornately decorated entrance to the nation’s oldest Chinatown. Armed with only whistles and pamphlets, the volunteer neighborhood patrol roams the streets, checking out ATMs and mom-and-pop shops in areas where Asian residents have experienced attacks that have left this neighborhood on edge.”

  • (Photo taken Tuesday, March 9, 2021) Necessary precautions have been taken by locals after a stream of attacks. Store owners have been aware and on-edge in fear of being victim to an unseen hate crime, placing warning signs on their storefronts.

  • (Photo taken Tuesday, March 9, 2021) Alongside the recent rise in hate crimes, SF Chinatown has also been struggling with funding, as the majority of income came from tourism. Maintaining proper social distancing and healthy outdoor eating regulations has been tough on the area financially.

  • (Photo taken Tuesday, March 9, 2021) Both Oakland and San Fransisco Chinatown’s serve the prevalent Bay Area Asian-American community by providing a safe space for locals to connect with their friends, family, and culture. It is the duty of the district’s to protect this sacred space, through both legislation and proper policing.