The recent rash of robberies and attacks against Asian Americans is (finally) receiving some attention in the news media. Every year around the time of the Lunar New Year celebrations, there’s an increase in robberies because the perps suspect that Asians are carrying around more money than usual. That’s been a trend I’ve noticed for as long as I can remember, especially having grown up in the southeastern side of San Francisco.
So it’s rather interesting to see people having discussion about the latest attacks and utterly dancing around the real problem. Lots of finger pointing at former President Trump’s rhetoric vis a vis the coronavirus. Lots of blame on white supremacy, and how the model minority myth breeds resentment towards Asian Americans from other minorities group.
All of that is fairly bullshit. The issue is, and have always been: young African Americans targeting Asians. I’ve seen plenty of it growing up, and have had it happened to me personally. Chicken or the egg: what came first? Asian American’s negative - often time racist - attitudes towards Blacks, or Blacks harassing and robbing Asians? I reckon those two things are innately intertwined.
Solving the problem is easy (in theory): alleviate poverty. These crimes are more about economics than pure racial hate. Asians are seen as easy targets with lots of money - especially our seniors, an attractive prey for those who have no life choice but to rob for sustenance. If they are otherwise gainfully employed and have the resources for a fulfilled life, I think the instances of crime against Asian Americans will drop dramatically.
That said, those who have perpetrated the crimes should be prosecuted to the fullest extent.
Tag, you’re it!