While Asian Heritage Month is an opportunity to celebrate Canadians of Asian descent , it is also an important opportunity to address the realities of anti-Asian racism. Below, we take a closer look at recent examples of the impact of Anti-Asian racism and what non-Asians can do to help.

Anti-Asian racism in Canada

Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/asian-heritage-month/anti-asian-racism.html

In Canada, anti-Asian racism refers to historical and ongoing discrimination, negative stereotyping, and injustice experienced by peoples of Asian descent, based on others’ assumptions about their ethnicity and nationality. Peoples of Asian descent are subjected to specific overt and subtle racist tropes and stereotypes at individual and systemic levels, which lead to their ongoing social, economic, political and cultural marginalization, disadvantage and unequal treatment.

The term Asian encompasses a wide range of identities that the very term Asian can obscure. While all may experience being “otherized,” specific experiences of anti-Asian racism vary. Some are constantly being perceived to be a threat, some face gendered exotification and violence, some are more likely to be subjected to online hate and racist portrayals in the media, while others face Islamophobia and other forms of religious-based discrimination.

COVID-19 and anti-Asian racism

Xenophobia and racism toward Chinese and other Asian communities has been on a rapid rise since the outbreak of COVID-19.  To confront that racism, several Chinese Canadian organizations across Canada have partnered on the COVID-19 Racism in Canada incident reporting project (covidracism.ca) to amplify voices and experiences. For more information on reported acts of anti-Asian racism in Canada, check out the Fight COVID-19 racism website: https://www.covidracism.ca/

To learn more about the experiences of Asian-Canadians during this pandemic, check out this recorded CCDI Webinar:
The intersection of race, mental health, and stigma in the age of COVID-19.
May 28, 2020:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T106ittMlTo

Fighting anti-Asian racism

Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/asian-heritage-month/anti-asian-racism.html

Here are some ways we can all contribute to tackling anti-Asian racism and building an even better and consciously more inclusive society where everyone is able to participate fully:

• Learn about pan-Asian diversity and the unique identities and cultures that have enriched Canadian society
• Challenge stereotypes and consider how they are rooted in the history of anti-Asian racism
• Show solidarity with Asian communities in Canada, i.e. by supporting local Asian businesses and organizations
• Be an ally – call out acts of racism, discrimination, and micro aggression and actively support those victimized by anti-Asian racism
• Interrupt unconscious biases and consider how they can affect your behavior and decision-making

Interested in learning more about how to be an ally to Asian-Canadians? Check out these free training opportunities:

Bystander Intervention Training to stop Anti-Asian/American and Xenophobic Harassment.
Via: Right to Be Foundation.

May 24, 2022: 8:00pm – 9:15pm EDT:  Link

Bystander Intervention in the Workplace: Mini Training.
Via: Right to Be Foundation.

May 31, 2022: 5:00pm – 5:30pm EDT: Link