Conceptualizing anti-Asian racism in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic: A call for action to social workers

Abstract

ABSTRACT Anti-Asian racism in Canada has emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic and become more rampant. This article integrates Canadian postcolonialism, a critique of Canadian multiculturalism, and a framework of intergroup prejudice to conceptualize the covert anti-Asian racism that is entrenched in Canadian society. How COVID-19 exposes and “legitimizes” anti-Asian racism is further analyzed and included in this conceptualization. This conceptualization also includes social workers’ leading roles in combating anti-Asian racism through reforming and integrating client interventions, cultural policy, social context, and offers directions that can guide future social work research and practice in improving social justice during this crisis.