With or without Donald Trump, racist rhetoric on China is making the US unsafe for Asian-Americans
- The rise in anti-Asian violence might have started with racist depictions of Covid-19, but it has been sustained by the US government calling China aggressive
- Showing tolerance and respect towards China will inspire tolerance and respect towards Asian-Americans, and this will make American cities safer
My wife and I recently moved to a bigger flat. We are expecting our first child in August and our old one-bedroom place was just not big enough. Our new home overlooks New York Harbour and the Statue of Liberty, a symbol of America that I have loved since I was a child.
Although anti-Asian bias has been around in the US since our nation was founded, there has been a surge of hate crimes against Asians in the US since 2020. What is at the heart of this violence?
If China is not actually an aggressor, why is the US pushing a narrative that it is aggressive? Why is the US encouraging other countries to jump on the anti-China bandwagon?
By presenting China as an aggressor, the US gives itself cover for taking unilateral actions to try to stem China’s rise. This demonising of China might feed nationalistic impulses, but it will not help find common ground or build the required trust to ensure China and the US can peacefully coexist.
China-bashing in any form on Capitol Hill inspires actual Asian-American bashing in our streets.
Conversely, showing tolerance and respect towards China will inspire tolerance and respect towards Asian-Americans, and this will make our cities safer.
These days, my wife doesn’t leave our flat alone. We’re concerned about her safety, as is her family in Harbin. Our daughter is expected in August, and we wonder if she will be welcomed in the US.
I never dreamed I would have to think about such things living in New York City, but when I look out of our window each day, I see my beloved Statue of Liberty and I worry.
Josh Selig is the Emmy Award-winning creator and executive producer of many educational preschool TV series including Wonder Pets, 3rd & Bird, Small Potatoes and P. King Duckling