Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Former US President Donald Trump has repeatedly described Covid-19 as “Chinese virus” and “Kung Flu”. This is said to be the culprit that has grown hatred towards Asian Americans.
This was conveyed by the White House Press Secretary, Jen Psaki. Earlier, anti-Asian peaks in the US after the shooting in Atlanta that killed eight people and mostly Asians last week.
“There is no doubt that the ‘destructive rhetoric’ of the previous administration played a role in the increasing threat to Asian-Americans,” Psaki said as quoted by Forbes, Sunday (28/3/2021).
Psaki said coronavirus nicknames such as the “Wuhan flu” led to an “inaccurate, unfair” perception of Asian-Americans. This has led to an increasing threat.
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Photo: Donald Trump and Melania Trump walking towards Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House, Wednesday, January 20, 2021, in Washington. (AP / Alex Brandon) President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump walk to board Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington. Trump is en route to his Mar-a-Lago Florida Resort. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)- – |
The World Health Organization (WHO) has advised from the start of the pandemic against referring to a virus believed to have originated. The agency warned this could have “unintended negative repercussions by stigmatizing certain communities”.
However, Psaki noted that in the case of the shooting in Atlanta, current US President Joe Biden did not want to attribute a motive to the suspected shooter before the investigation was completed.
“Will continue to look for ways to raise and talk about this issue,” said Psaki.
“Undoubtedly some of the damaging rhetoric we saw during the previous administration … calling Covid the ‘Wuhan virus’ or other things is causing … inaccurate, unfair perceptions of the Asian-American community. [dan telah] increasing the threat to Asian-Americans, “he explained at the White House.
According to the non-profit organization Stop AAPI Hate, reported anti-Asian crimes increased by nearly 150% in 2020. This is compared to the previous year’s 3,795 incidents.
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