Since the corona outbreak, there has been a rise in incidents of physical violence against people from the Asian community, the report found. Especially women are the victims. In the Netherlands, there are also reports that people with an Asian appearance because of the corona virus are called after and called names.
The hatred of Asians is not new, emphasizes Reza Kartosen-Wong, media scientist at the University of Amsterdam. According to him, this is an age-old problem that arises from colonial prejudices. “Asians would be dirty. You can see that in the comments that are made about food: you eat everything. Dogs, cats, bats. Asians would also be unreliable and dangerous.”
‘Fueled by Trump’
The corona virus does act as a flywheel, Kartosen-Wong sees. Former President Trump, in particular, has fueled hatred against Asians. “He explicitly links the virus to China and the Chinese: corona racism. What you see then is that everyone who has an Asian appearance, from Koreans to Japanese, is being attacked in the US,” said Kartosen-Wong.
A few years ago, the American-Asian Doris Yeung started CinemAsia in the Netherlands, a European film festival to bring attention to Asian films and directors. She recognizes the problem that Kartosen-Wong outlines and receives many reports about it: “People here in the Netherlands are also beaten and abused and it has increased by corona. And Trump has also reinforced that hatred here, by continuously blaming China. everything.”
Repetition of prejudices
Kartosen-Wong and Yeung also see a clear link between prejudice and the way minority groups, including Asians, are talked about in the media. This is also reflected in the Netherlands, Kartosen-Wong emphasizes. For example, Asians still have to deal with comments like “slit eye,” “hanky panky,” and “poochinese.”
Kartosen-Wong: “This ultimately ensures that people on the street are legitimized in their racism. If certain prejudices and stereotypes are constantly repeated in the media, then it is logical that they can influence people’s ideas.”
Yeung believes that if you never hear or see Asians, then they don’t exist. “And that’s the problem. You have to include Asians and not keep them out.”
Deep-seated prejudice
Still, both are hopeful: that Biden is now going to Atlanta indicates that the concerns are being taken seriously and the Asian community appreciates that, says Kartosen-Wong: “But it will not lead to a decrease in racism so quickly. prejudices that are deeply rooted in man and that does not just disappear. ” He does believe it helps if the media and politics provide an objective picture of the Asian community.
Yeung agrees: “Involve all races in all areas. In politics, media, on the stage. Give them a voice and a face, because with representation you can remove prejudices.”
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