Fight the Virus, Not the Asians
As the Corona virus spreads throughout the world, as does xenophobia and anti-Asian racism.
I have personally felt this at my university and while traveling.
When I went to Puerto Rico this past week for my Spring Break, I drank some water and choked which caused me to involuntarily cough. This caused everyone on my flight to immediately go to the bathroom to wash their hands or wipe down their seats. It truly was a mortifying moment for me and I was conscious to never cough again on that flight.
As humorous as this may seem (and trust me, no one loves to use humor as a defense mechanism than I do), I can't help but notice why everyone on my flight assumed I had the corona virus. Why would I be on a flight?
It's because I'm Asian. Most likely.
I'm on several Asian Facebook groups (who post memes or travel tips, etc), and there are many stories about fellow Asians all over the world warning people about certain countries to visit during this time because of increased racism.
More than that, there is a loss in Chinese/Asian businesses. There are increased physical and verbal attacks on Asians all over the world.
“Whenever there’s some kind of major incident with global or regional implications, and as soon as you can identify it in relation to some racial ‘other,’ particularly in predominantly white, multi-ethnic societies like England or the U.S., I think it’s very easy for people to use a very small excuse to start scapegoating on the basis of their appearance,” Miri Song, professor of sociology at the University of Kent, tells TIME. (The article can be found here: https://news.yahoo.com/coronavirus-spreads-does-racism-xenophobia-184241334.html)
This fear that is mongering among people should not be a motivation to attack any Asian you see or your Asian friends.
I, as an Asian-American, have the majority of my family living in South Korea, where the virus is prominent. I am worried for their safety and for the safety of the people living in my country. The last thing I would like to hear is someone taking light of something that could easily kill my older relatives who are more susceptible to this virus.
I've had students and professors make impractical jokes about me having the virus, and it just never gets any easier. I've had comments such as "Oh, watch out! Sunny has the virus!" and others similar.
At my small liberal arts college in the middle of Michigan, where there are few Asian-American students, it is emotionally exhausting to continue correcting professors and students that I actually have family in South Korea, who could have this disease.
Even when I asked a professor to stop joking about it in front of me, he said, "I am still going to joke about it anyway!"
Even after this comment, I, a naturally confrontational person, felt scared to come forward and ask him to not make comments like this. Calling me out in front of the entire class when I am the only Asian will not help the issue.
If I can make some suggestions, get educated on what the Corona virus actually is, its symptoms, its preventative methods, and what the statistics are globally.
I hear you. I, like the next student, would love to take classes online and not go to school! Yay! But be mindful, of some students who may be experiencing implicit bias or racism because of this virus. Maybe this isn't just a joke to them. What a privilege it is to joke about something that does not negatively affect you, perhaps.
Wash your hands and wash your words.
I have personally felt this at my university and while traveling.
When I went to Puerto Rico this past week for my Spring Break, I drank some water and choked which caused me to involuntarily cough. This caused everyone on my flight to immediately go to the bathroom to wash their hands or wipe down their seats. It truly was a mortifying moment for me and I was conscious to never cough again on that flight.
As humorous as this may seem (and trust me, no one loves to use humor as a defense mechanism than I do), I can't help but notice why everyone on my flight assumed I had the corona virus. Why would I be on a flight?
It's because I'm Asian. Most likely.
I'm on several Asian Facebook groups (who post memes or travel tips, etc), and there are many stories about fellow Asians all over the world warning people about certain countries to visit during this time because of increased racism.
More than that, there is a loss in Chinese/Asian businesses. There are increased physical and verbal attacks on Asians all over the world.
“Whenever there’s some kind of major incident with global or regional implications, and as soon as you can identify it in relation to some racial ‘other,’ particularly in predominantly white, multi-ethnic societies like England or the U.S., I think it’s very easy for people to use a very small excuse to start scapegoating on the basis of their appearance,” Miri Song, professor of sociology at the University of Kent, tells TIME. (The article can be found here: https://news.yahoo.com/coronavirus-spreads-does-racism-xenophobia-184241334.html)
This fear that is mongering among people should not be a motivation to attack any Asian you see or your Asian friends.
I, as an Asian-American, have the majority of my family living in South Korea, where the virus is prominent. I am worried for their safety and for the safety of the people living in my country. The last thing I would like to hear is someone taking light of something that could easily kill my older relatives who are more susceptible to this virus.
I've had students and professors make impractical jokes about me having the virus, and it just never gets any easier. I've had comments such as "Oh, watch out! Sunny has the virus!" and others similar.
At my small liberal arts college in the middle of Michigan, where there are few Asian-American students, it is emotionally exhausting to continue correcting professors and students that I actually have family in South Korea, who could have this disease.
Even when I asked a professor to stop joking about it in front of me, he said, "I am still going to joke about it anyway!"
Even after this comment, I, a naturally confrontational person, felt scared to come forward and ask him to not make comments like this. Calling me out in front of the entire class when I am the only Asian will not help the issue.
If I can make some suggestions, get educated on what the Corona virus actually is, its symptoms, its preventative methods, and what the statistics are globally.
I hear you. I, like the next student, would love to take classes online and not go to school! Yay! But be mindful, of some students who may be experiencing implicit bias or racism because of this virus. Maybe this isn't just a joke to them. What a privilege it is to joke about something that does not negatively affect you, perhaps.
Wash your hands and wash your words.
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