Lynn Tran
Lynn Tran, a sophomore Economics major, wrote a reflection on the #StopAsianHate movement for the Argo and offered ways for the community to help stop hate by spreading education and awareness. The article was published the day before the March 16 series of tragic spa shootings in Atlanta, Georgia that killed eight victims. The following week, a grocery store shooting in Boulder, Colorado killed ten victims.
The help of the Asian Student Alliance trying to stand with the Asian community is not enough. Simple ways to support the #StopAsianHate movement are to support your local Asian-operated businesses, be a listener, speak out and educate people on this topic.
The pandemic has negatively impacted many communities, especially Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Former president Donald Trump’s use of the term "Chinese virus" in reference to COVID-19 has created an uncomfortable and unsafe atmosphere for the Asian community. This also has led to an increase in widespread xenophobia. There has been a 150% spike of hate crimes towards Asian Americans in major cities.
The Asian Student Alliance of Stockton University (ASA) is an organization that brings a wide range of cultures together and hosts events all year long. They educate students on the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community by constantly discussing difficult topics about the hardships that Asian Americans have to face.
As Stockton students see the news of hate crime towards Asian Americans rise, ASA aims to make sure that Stockton students don’t feel alone.
Tran on the long history of stereotypes and how to show your support for the Asian community:
The recent violent crimes have brought light to the daily struggles of Asian Americans to the mainstream media. However, xenophobia and hate crimes against Asian Americans have long existed in America.
The creation of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 intended to keep Asians out of the country. Not only that, the lingering stereotypes of Asian people as "quiet, good at math, wealthy, bad drivers, weak, unable to see, etc." along with "yellow-fever" and numerous racial slurs are utilized as hate speech and for comedic effect in pop culture. The safety and feelings of Asian Americans are often neglected. As a result, it has produced an uncomfortable atmosphere and negative burdens for the community to endure.
The help of the Asian Student Alliance trying to stand with the Asian community is not enough. Simple ways to support the #StopAsianHate movement are to support your local Asian-operated businesses, be a listener, speak out and educate people on this topic. Overall, I hope Stockton University, along with other institutions will improve the environment for Asian Americans to thrive in.
This Voice was originally published in 2021. At the time of publication, and presently, Tran was pursuing a pre-law concentration along with two minors in Global Studies and Philosophy.
Related Articles:
- Tran's original article in the Argo: Asian student association speaks on #stoptheasianhate movement
- Stockton Celebrates AAPI Heritage Month
- Statement in Support of Our AAPI Community
