Discrimination against Asian People as a result of COVID-19 in Canada

From UBC Wiki

Background

SARS-CoV-2, also known as COVID-19, is a type of coronavirus that affects the respiratory system of its host.[1] Cases could lead to kidney failure, more respiratory problems or even in the most severe cases, death. Symptoms such as dry cough, fever, fatigue, nausea, loss of smell and/or taste, headaches, shortness of breath can all remain dormant up to 2 weeks.[1] The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that around 40% of patients were asymptomatic, meaning that they did not show any symptoms of the virus. Actions such as coughing, sneezing, or even talking could spread small droplets and further infect other parties around the victim.[2] This virus can cause severe respiratory system problems or in drastic cases, death.[2]

The first few cases of this newly found coronavirus was said to have emerged from Wuhan, China, specifically the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market.[3] This market is also known as a “wet market”, where wild animals such as baby crocodiles, beavers, porcupines, snakes and various others were sold.[3][4] SARS-CoV-2 is a virus derived from bats and the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market was widely criticized by outside media for allegedly selling this in its market since the previous diseases such as SARS and MERS were also linked to bats.[3][5]

Video of Wang Mengyun

A video of a Chinese woman by the name of Wang Mengyun soon became the target of racist attacks. The video shows Mengyun consuming a whole bat and promoting it as a mouthwatering food.[6] Rumors started to spread that the video was shot in Wuhan, China, the epicentre of the virus, thus leading users on Twitter to regard Chinese people as having “dirty eating habits”. However, Mengyun soon spoke out about the situation and explained that the video was three years ago and set in Palau, a place that considers bats as a delicacy.[7] Despite this, many users online created a stereotype against Chinese people and regarded them as “bat eaters”[8]. This further intensified racism against not only Chinese people, but towards all kinds of Asians. Many people who do not live in Asia do not understand the delicacy of certain foods eaten in several Asian countries such as insects or mice because it is regarded as dirty in their society. Rightfully, many of the animals including the bats carry various kinds of diseases that are transferable to humans.[9] However, racist attacks against Asian people have increased amidst the discovery of the new virus.

Racist Attacks in Canada

In B.C

On March 13 2020, surveillance camera from a convenience store in the eastside of Vancouver shows a middle aged man shoving a 92-year old man of East Asian descent that also suffers from dementia to the ground. Constable Visintin reports that the altercation was motivated by racism related to COVID-19.[10] The suspect grabs the older man and shoves him onto the ground, resulting in him hitting his head on the concrete. However, the victim is reported to be uninjured from the situation.[10]

One of Vancouver’s famous tourist sites, Chinatown, has been defaced with graffiti. The iconic two white lion statues that stand in front of the Millennium gate that leads into Chinatown were vandalized with anti-asian racist remarks.[11] Phrases included “COVID CHINA”, “GOOF”, and “COVID-19”. In an effort to combat xenophobia and hate speech, the city has come together with Goodbye Graffiti, a company that removes any kind of vandalism, and offered to eliminate any racist graffiti on private property.[11]

In Alberta

On May 27 in the early morning hours, Calgary’s Chinese consulate was defaced with graffiti. “China Virus” was written across the brick wall in black spray paint.[12] Unfortunately, this was actually the second time the building was vandalized, the first occurrence happening just a week before on May 19.[13] Surveillance cameras captured three suspects, dressed in all black, soiling the structure with phrases relating to the coronavirus.[12]

In Ontario

Katherine Cheung, a Toronto ER nurse, was walking around the city with her colleague and waiting for their food when she was verbally and physically abused by a 60 year old woman.[14] It was reported that the elderly woman began hitting Cheung and her friend with an umbrella.[14] The incident included racial slurs such as “Go back to where you came from” and ended with the woman spitting on Cheung. Cheung commented saying that this attack occurred because she is of Asian descent and that it wasn’t an uncommon event.[14]

In Quebec

On March 15, a 44-year-old Korean research fellow was brutally attacked by a stranger in Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, a small neighbourhood in Montreal.[15] The assailant lunged at the victim with what is said to be a hunting knife directly at the neck.[15] The 44-year-old was making his way to a local Korean market when the attacker made his move.[15] There were no words exchanged between the two and the assailant soon took off.[15] Although it was unclear whether or not the assault was fuelled by racism stemmed from the recent pandemic, disbelief and fear were felt in the community. [16]

Chinese-Canadians

The Angus Reid Institution and the University of Alberta conducted an online survey to document how the rate of racism is increasing amidst the pandemic. [17]It’s been reported that 64% of Chinese-Canadians have experienced some kind of racist attacks or discrimination, while 43% of that were directly threatened in some way.[17] 61% reported to have changed their lifestyle one way or another to avoid verbal or physical abuse.[18]Around 30% of individuals have seen posts that promote anti-Chinese racism, memes, or graffiti while two-thirds of all participants felt as if the media portrayed a poor image of Chinese people.[18]

Response from Parliament

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took to the daily news conference on May 22, 2020 condemning the rise of asian discrimination amidst the global pandemic. He ensured solidarity by commenting, “To Asian Canadians across the country, know we all stand with you. We will not let hate divide us.”. This comes after a report of increase in hate crimes against Asians rose up to 8 times since the previous year.[19]

Trudeau’s response was heavily contrasting to the United States President Donald Trump who, in several Twitter tweets, referred to the virus as the “Chinese Virus”.[20] [21]Trudeau took a stand earlier that year in February at a Lunar New Year celebration, calling on all Canadians to remain strong and to condemn any anti-Asian racism as Canada was hit with the coronavirus.[22]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Sauer, Lauren M. (2020). "What is Coronavirus?". Hopkins Medicine.
  2. 2.0 2.1 "How Coronavirus is spread". Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. 2020.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Woodward, Aylin (February 26, 2020). "Both the new coronavirus and SARS outbreaks likely started in Chinese 'wet markets.' Historic photos show what the markets looked like". Business Insider.
  4. Maron, Dina Fine. "'Wet markets' likely launched the coronavirus. Here's what you need to know". National Geographic.
  5. "SARS and MERS: The Agents". Baylor College of Medicine.
  6. Stevenson, Jane (February 1, 2020). "Infamous bat soup-eating video got us thinking about other "delicacies"". Toronto Sun.
  7. Palmer, James (January 27, 2020). "Don't Blame Bat Soup for the Coronavirus". Foreign Policy.
  8. "@JodaUno: What's with the bat eater?". Twitter. July 28, 2020.
  9. Rettner, Rachael (January 29, 2020). "New coronavirus may have started in bats. But how did it hop to humans?". Live Science.
  10. 10.0 10.1 Hager, Mike (April 22, 2020). "Vancouver sees surge in hate crimes against East Asian people". The Globe and Mail.
  11. 11.0 11.1 "Vancouver officials 'extremely disappointed' by racist graffiti at famed Chinatown gate". CBC. May 20, 2020.
  12. 12.0 12.1 Kaufmann, Bill (May 28, 2020). "Graffiti attacks on Calgary Chinese consulate reflects rising racism against Asians, say activists". Calgary Herald.
  13. Franklin, Michael (May 27, 2020). "'A duty to get involved': Calgary police investigate Chinese consulate vandalism". CTV News.
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 Tsekouras, Phil (April 9, 2020). "'It happened because I'm Asian': Toronto ER nurse says she was spit on, verbally assaulted". CTV News.
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 Feith, Jesse (May 22, 2020). "Stabbing of Seoul researcher in N.D.G. sends shock waves through Asian community". Montreal Gazette.
  16. Rowe, Daniel J. (March 17, 2020). "COVID-19: Korean consulate issues warning after violent attack in Montreal". CTV News.
  17. 17.0 17.1 Shah, Maryam (June 22, 2020). "Canadians of Chinese ethnicity report widespread racism over coronavirus: survey". Global News.
  18. 18.0 18.1 McMaster, Geoff (July 7, 2020). "Majority of Chinese-Canadians say they've experienced discrimination because of COVID-19: study". Folio.
  19. Beattie, Samantha (May 22, 2020). "Trudeau Condemns Surge Of Anti-Asian Hate Crimes In Canada". Huffington Post.
  20. "@realdonaldtrump: Deaths from the China Virus are down 39%, while our great testing program continues to lead the World, by FAR! Why isn't the Fake News reporting that Deaths are way down? It is only because they are, indeed, FAKE NEWS!". Twitter. July 6, 2020.
  21. "@realdonaldtrump: New China Virus Cases up (because of massive testing), deaths are down, "low and steady". The Fake News Media should report this and also, that new job numbers are setting records!". Twitter. July 5, 2020.
  22. "PM warns against discrimination at Lunar New Year event as fears of coronavirus spread".