“You don’t understand our culture, and you never will.”
I am Kayleen Yoo, an Asian American immigrant. Growing up, I often heard this statement from my peers. They judged my English skills and lack of knowledge about American traditions. I never had the chance to fight back against the harassment because my opinions didn’t matter to those around me. The prejudice didn’t just affect me—it also shaped my mother’s life. People outright victimized her by saying “go back to China,” showing how oblivious and disregarding American society can be. Unfortunately, my story is not unique; it is a reality faced by many Asian Americans.
The Asian and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community frequently experiences anti-Asian hate, but most victims do not report it. Stop AAPI Hate director of data and research, Stephanie Chan, explains that the frequency of hate crimes discourages Asian Americans from reporting incidents. Some may argue that existing laws are sufficient to protect against hate crimes, even if not all incidents are reported.
However, underreporting weakens the enforcement of these laws. Without reports, these crimes remain unseen and unaddressed, making it difficult to combat anti-Asian hate. Furthermore, underreporting can be fueled by distrust in government institutions and policies, especially when political leaders enact unfavorable policies toward immigrants and minority groups.
A report from the Center for the Study of Hate & Extremism shows a 145% increase in anti-Asian hate crimes in 2020 across 16 major states. The widespread crimes, according to the FBI, occurred during the Trump administration, demonstrating how political rules can influence hate crime rates. For instance, Trump ended the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) program and restricted immigrants from entering on visas or as refugees. Trump’s policy reveals that certain government policies can significantly impact Asian Americans’ sense of…
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