The world has become a very scary and confusing place over the last several years. Some groups of people are much more afraid and stressed than others at the moment, though. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the world, and many people have struggled with these changes. There are positive signs that things are moving in the right direction so that the world can get closer to feeling normal again, but there are also many troubling things happening in society.
There are people out there who wrongly place the blame for the pandemic on Asian people. COVID-19 originated in Wuhan, China, and this has caused certain hateful individuals to terrorize Asian communities in the United States. Some Asian-Americans have been attacked and many hate crimes have been perpetrated.
#StopAsianHate
If you’re one of the many people who are horrified that this is happening right now, then you likely want to be an ally to the Asian community during this trying time. The Stop Asian Hate movement is doing what it can right now to try to battle these hate crimes. There are many ways that you can be an ally to the Asian community right now that will make a difference.
Educate Yourself
Educating yourself is one of the best things that you can do right now when you’re trying to be an ally to the Asian community. The reason why there are so many people coming out against the Asian community is that people are misinformed. Yes, racism has a lot to do with these attacks and hate crimes, but people often develop these beliefs due to ignorance and misinformation. Being educated and informed about the topics might help you to dissuade others from believing falsehoods.
At the very least, being cognizant of what’s going on in the world is important. Understand what’s really happening and don’t turn a blind eye to the situation. It isn’t always going to be comfortable for people to see what’s happening. It’s still imperative to educate yourself and try to help in the ways that you can.
Challenge Racism
Challenging racism is another thing that can help the Asian community (and all communities) during this time. Some people might think that it’s fine to make racist remarks about Asian people or other minorities. They might say things that aren’t true about them or try to blame them for things that they had nothing to do with. Staying silent doesn’t help and you should attempt to challenge racism wherever you can.
Be supportive of Asian people and other minorities. Let people in your family know that they’re wrong if they hold hateful beliefs about other races. Racism isn’t something that should be given oxygen. Shut it down and let the people in your circle know that racism and hate crimes are acts of evil.
Listen to Asian Voices and Amplify Them
Just listening to Asian voices is very important during this difficult time. Many Asian people are doing what they must to stand up to this threat. It’s a scary time for the Asian community, but there are powerful individuals letting their voices be heard. You should take the time to listen to what they have to say and to try to understand where they’re coming from.
If possible, you should try to amplify their voices by sharing videos on social media so that more people will get the message. Hopefully, this Stop Asian Hate movement will help people to understand each other better. The goal is to stop the violence and to put an end to people trying to blame the world’s problems on minorities. Keep an open mind be willing to listen to Asians that are bravely standing up right now.
If you’re feeling depressed or anxious due to everything that’s happening right now, then you’re far from alone. These are tumultuous times, but it’s possible that things will get much better soon with so many people cooperating for the greater good. Even so, you might need help if you feel like your mental health isn’t where it needs to be. Knowing that you can reach out to an online therapist at any time if you need someone to talk to.
