When people ask why we learn about history, the generic response is to prevent the repetition of horrific events. Nonetheless, the matters of the past remain prevalent today. This seems to be a recurring theme of this new millennium. “It’s 20XX, come on guys.” There’s still the same supremacy and nationalism (specifically American exceptionalism) from centuries ago that ignited many past events that we frown upon today. Now, the outbreak of a global pandemic is fueling and reminding us of the American view on Asians that has yet to fade away. Let it be known that although many Americans do not think this way, many still do. I firmly believe America is a great country that I am proudly a citizen of, and that to progress we must acknowledge our flaws and work to fix them.
In an unprecedented historical event, the world is dealing with the same issue, an issue that is augmented because people are connected through social media and the internet. Everybody is quickly receiving copious amounts of information and forming opinions based on reports from numerous sources and biases. The origin of Coronavirus, COVID-19, reinforced American xenophobia towards Asians and Yellow Peril -- the idea that the influence of eastern Asian peoples is a threat to western civilization -- because COVID-19 was first discovered and spread in China. COVID-19 is believed to have been spread from bats to people because the virus has been known to originate in bats. Because of the cultural differences between the Western and Eastern spheres, there is, understandably, some confusion and difference in opinion. Regardless, the belief that one culture or belief is worth more than another is the issue we are collectively facing. Many Americans have refueled the belief common to the 19th century that Asians are barbaric and semi-civilized. This belief is an example of American exceptionalism, which is essentially the belief that America is inherently superior to other nations. Many people in Asian countries believe that food is food and avoid being wasteful. When people live bereft of food, they become less picky; therefore it is more socially acceptable in Asia to eat foods that would be deemed unconventional in western countries such as the United States. This can be linked to the widespread starvation that resulted from the Chinese Communist movement during the 1900s, as well as other cultural beliefs and lifestyles. The opinions caused by American exceptionalism and Yellow Peril during COVID-19 have caused a large increase in assault and harassment of Asian people globally. Asians are facing racism as people are using the same scapegoating tactic from the 19th century in the 21st and blaming the entirety of the race for the virus. The dehumanization of Asians has been happening since Asians immigrated to America. Throughout the 19th century, Americans saw Asians as an invasive species, which set the stage for Yellow Peril fueled policies to be introduced. Eugenicists during the time believed that the “inferior races” were “primitive” and “semi-civilized” and only contributed to the degradation of American life and society. Some of the American media and American education also influence how Americans think about Asian countries by portraying them as undeveloped and uncivilized.
Chinese communism during the 20th century did not help this inaccurate portrayal. Since the mid-1900s, American textbooks have been villainizing communism because of tensions between the US and the Soviet Union and utilizing a fear tactic known as the Red Scare. The American view on communism wasn’t based on facts, but rather on the biased portrayal of it in textbooks and propaganda. This is not specifically an American practice as every country has a natural bias towards itself. While every political system has its pros and cons and truly depends on a personal weighing of these, the political system never mattered that much as the Red Scare was mostly created in fear of the Soviet Union becoming too powerful and overtaking western democracies. This affected Asian Americans as many believe that all Chinese are communist and resent them for it. Although China is run by the Chinese Communist Party, they practice a more socialist system that leans towards capitalism. Since the 19th century, people, such as the American eugenicists, have been scapegoating Asians by blaming them for poor living conditions and crime that more accurately resulted from industrialization. The American eugenics movement used this blame to fuel the Red Scare. In 1882, the Chinese Exclusion Act was passed and banned any Chinese person from entering America and any Chinese residents in the US from becoming a citizen. While that may seem like a long time ago, that act was not repealed until 1943. And even the 1943 Magnuson Act only permitted 105 Chinese immigrants per year.
Currently, there are videos online of people asking Asian Americans if they were “the one that ate the bat” or talking about how they’re waiting for the Asian “kind” to be wiped out, usually regarding nuclear weapons. Many Asian American small businesses have also suffered as a result of this discrimination. Stories and videos of Asians being harassed or attacked in both public places and online are being shared globally. Between March 18th and March 26th, the online reporting forum, “Stop AAPI Hate” reported over 650 cases of discrimination against Asian Americans. People have reported being coughed on, spit on, refused service, assaulted, and victim to other forms of harassment. The Chinese Culture Center received an email saying that “the Chinese caused this Chinese epidemic and are filthy, filthy people,” which displays the existence of the eugenicist ideas in the 21st century. One of the most influential politicians in the world insisted on calling COVID-19 the “Chinese virus” and the “Kung-flu”, disregarding the consequences. The FBI reported a case in which an Asian American 2-year-old and 6-year-old were stabbed because their attacker believed they were Chinese and assumed they were infecting other people. This homicide is an extreme case of the violence but shows the effects of the issues addressed in this essay. It is extremely illogical to attack or harass any Asian because of COVID-19’s origins. Fortunately, many Americans agree with this idea today, but many still believe the contrary. The main concern about COVID-19 should be how infectious it is, the lack of vaccines or treatment, and how to help people stay out of poverty. The cases range from showing no symptoms, to mild symptoms, to serious and fatal cases. Every single person on Earth right now is being affected by COVID-19 in some way and directing the resulting anger and hate onto Asians is unjustifiable and irrational. Right now, Asian Americans not only have to worry about their financial and health situations just like everyone else, but they also have to fear for their safety when they walk outside and hope that they or their family members don’t run into the wrong person.
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