Anti-Asian Discrimination Hearing Overview

After more than 30 years, Congress held an anti-Asian discrimination hearing amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

The last anti-Asian racism hearing was held over 30 years ago, in November 1987. 

During that time, Representative Don Edwards recognized gaps with the current legislation and bills towards preventing Asian prejudice and that governing bodies should take action to address them. 

Back then, a Chinese American man named Vincent Chen was beaten to death by white individuals, which prompted Congress to look at Asian discrimination.

Thirty years after, Congress held another anti-Asian discrimination hearing in March 2021. 

The hearing was called due to the heightened reports of attacks against the Asian American community during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The latest of which was the targeted shooting incident that happened in Atlanta.

Atlanta Shooting

On March 16, 2021, a targeted shooting incident happened in Atlanta. Eight people died from the incident, 6 of which were identified to be Asian women.

The lead suspect, 21-year-old Robert Aaron Long, started the shooting at Acworth’s Young’s Asian Massage, where four people have died, and one was injured. 

Afterward, he drove around Atlanta killing four more individuals. He was arrested shortly after in Atlanta while he was on his way to Florida.

The increasing number of attacks against Asian Americans amidst the coronavirus pandemic has been a major concern to some individuals.

The hearing aims to listen to witnesses and out forth bills that will help address the assault on Asian Americans.

Anti-Asian Discrimination Hearing 2021

The hearing was led by several Asian American lawmakers, including Representatives Doris Matsui, Grace Meng, and Judy Chu.

Testimonies regarding the growing concern on the rise of brutality and attacks against the Asian American community were heard throughout the session.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an alarming increase in racism reports mainly directed to Chinese Americans. 

Racist phrases like “China virus” were thrown out to blame for the coronavirus spread against innocent communities.

The Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC) was also present during the hearing. 

They have received a staggering rise of anti-Asian discrimination reports amounting to over 4,000 reports from February 2020.

The AAJC reported that most of the incidents involved verbal abuse, bullying, racial slurs, and harassment. 

However, there were also a couple of incidents involving violence and physical abuse. 

Some of them have caused heightened fear because of the intensity of the violence involved targeted among the elderly members of the community. One of the reports involved the stabbing of a father in a parking lot. 

Acting Deputy Attorney General John Carlin argues that no Americans should live in fear of violence, regardless of their race or whatever conditions they have. 

He adds that the Department of Justice and other governing agencies are taking action to address the issue.

The Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) reports that they have already received 3,795 anti-Asian racism incidents on their Stop AAPI Hate reporting center on February 28, 2021.

Editor’s Note on Anti-Asian Discrimination Hearing:

This article is published to inform you of the latest anti-Asian discrimination hearing held by Congress.

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