The Burden of Proving Racism Still Exists

With rising racist attacks, the burden of proof seems to fall on Asian Americans as news outlets and federal agencies have been slow to recognize and correctly label threats, an example of our trend of Blurred Responsibility. In the days before Lunar New Year, surveillance cameras captured several violent, unprovoked attacks against Asian seniors. But top-rated cable networks spent little to no airtime covering the issue. In response to an overall lack of mainstream representation, social media has become a powerful tool and an equalizing force for the community.  Culturally specific sites like Nextshark and hashtags such as  #StopAsianHate have helped Asian Americans prove the various forms of discrimination they’ve long experienced, educate others, and pressure authorities to respond. 

But it raises the question; why is the burden falling on the Asian community to prove racism against them exists? Long held up in the U.S. as a ‘model minority,’ Asian Americans have always had to contend with positive perceptions of their success while still experiencing racism and discrimination. Now, the community is desperately trying to show lawmakers and society that this is their reality. Unfortunately social media can be limited in its ability to showcase and educate on the wide spectrum of violence and microaggressions the Asian community faces. And the burden cannot solely fall on the backs of the community being oppressed; many have called that widespread education on AAPI history is key in shifting perceptions and understanding.

Watch the full Culture Briefing below.