Chinese-Australians feel fear and loathing as coronavirus panic sparks racist incidents
- For many, the outbreak has been an uncomfortable reminder that prejudice lurks beneath the surface of Australia’s multicultural society
- Authorities have issued condemnations amid the sharp rise in such incidents, with the country’s race discrimination commissioner urging unity and calm
Rachel Zhang found herself the focus of unwelcome attention at Melbourne Airport recently when a white woman began coughing nearby.
“I thought nothing of it but every time she coughed many would look to me to make sure that it wasn’t me,” said Zhang, who is a student of biomedicine at the University of Melbourne. “Many even moved away from me.”
“I’ve had multiple incidences where people move away from me on public transport or stare at me when I sneeze or cough,” said the 23-year-old, whose parents migrated to Australia from Shanghai.
For many Chinese-Australians, the virus – which was first detected in the Chinese city of Wuhan – has served as an uncomfortable reminder that prejudice lurks just beneath the surface of their multicultural society.