Anti-Asian Racism in North America during COVID-19: Exploring the Role of Media and the Reproduction of Social Inequality

Abstract

This article focuses on the discrimination and racism experienced by people of Asian descent during the COVID-19 pandemic in North America. It has been 2 years since the COVID-19 outbreak began. The unstable situation caused by the coronavirus pandemic has disrupted our society and the economy. During the COVID-19 epidemic, we have witnessed an increase in hate-motivated incidents where race or ethnicity has been a factor, including incidents against Asian people. Anti-Asian racism was further exacerbated by the xenophobic and racist political rhetoric surrounding the COVID-19 virus, especially after former President Trump described the coronavirus as a “Chinese virus”. The faulty belief that Asian ethnicities are solely responsible for causing COVID-19 has triggered hate crimes and discrimination toward people of Asian descent. This study shows how the discrimination and racism experienced by people of Asian origin can take various forms and how racial stereotypes produce social inequality during the COVID-19 pandemic.