Understanding the Complex History of Anti-Asian Racism

In the aftermath of mass shootings that struck Atlanta-area spas, news networks declared the attacks were “not racially motivated” even though Asian women comprised six of the eight victims. Bias incidents and assaults against Asian Americans soared following the outbreak of COVID-19. At least 70 percent of Asian Americans felt that violence and discrimination had become greater threats to the community during the pandemic. Authorities repeated the claim that the violence “was not racially motivated,” with one spokesman saying the shooter just had “a really bad day.” The shooter’s projection of evil onto the spa workers betrayed his immersion within “purity culture.” The Christian nationalist mission to purify America is rooted in “assumptions of nativism, white supremacy, patriarchy, and heteronormativity, along with divine sanction for authoritarian control and militarism.”

  • News networks declared the attacks were “not racially motivated” even though Asian women comprised six of the eight victims.
  • Bias incidents and assaults against Asian Americans soared following the outbreak of COVID-19.
  • The Christian nationalist mission to purify America is rooted in “assumptions of nativism, white supremacy, patriarchy, and heteronormativity, along with divine sanction for authoritarian control and militarism.”
📚 BookAddict’s Take: If you want to understand the historical context of anti-Asian violence, this article provides a solid overview.

Source: Literary Hub  | 
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