anti-Asian Racism Research Articles

Abstract P363: Knowledge of COVID-19-Related Risk Factors and Conditions Among Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Adults, February-April 2022

Introduction: Communities of color, including Asian Americans (AAs), Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (NH/PIs), experienced higher rates of COVID-19 infection, hospitalization and death compared to white populations during the early pandemic. Further, there are known disparities in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors among AA and NH/PI groups that existed pre-pandemic (e.g., greater prevalence of diabetes among Filipino and Asian Indian compared to white adults). These outsized risks are combined with the increased experience of anti-Asian racism in this period along with historical distrust of health institutions, and legacies of structural racism that have made communities of color vulnerable to the pandemic. The purpose of this study was to understand knowledge of COVID-19-related conditions among AA and NH/PI ethnic groups, in order to anticipate and mitigate further COVID-19 and CVD disparities. Hypothesis: We hypothesize that knowledge of post-COVID-19 conditions and variants would vary by disaggregated AA and NH/PI ethnic group. Methods: The National COVID-19 Rapid Needs Assessment was conducted among AA and NH/PI adults from February to April 2022 with the help of ten community partners (n = 1,358; 1,197 AAs and 153 NH/PIs). The survey was primarily administered online in English and 11 Asian languages. We examined the following COVID-19 knowledge outcomes: vaccine breakthrough infections, COVID-19 variants, and long COVID. Responses included: ‘I know a lot about it,’ ‘I know a moderate amount about it,’ ‘I have heard of it, but don’t know much about it,’ and ‘I haven’t heard of it.’ Outcomes were disaggregated by seven AA (Chinese, Taiwanese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, South Asian) and two NH/PI (Polynesian, Micronesian) subgroups. Additional analyses will examine differences in knowledge based on misinformation and disinformation in the absence of timely, language concordant COVID-19 information. Results: Among AAs overall, 14.0% had not heard of vaccine breakthrough infections; 7.4% had not heard of COVID-19 variants; and 11.7% had not heard of long COVID. South Asian adults reported the lowest knowledge of COVID-19, while Filipinos reported the highest knowledge. Among NH/PI adults, 27.2% had not heard of vaccine breakthrough infections; 6.6% had not heard of COVID-19 variants; and 28.4% had not heard of long COVID. Both NH/PI subgroups reported very low knowledge of breakthrough infections and long COVID. Conclusion: Findings indicate COVID-19-related knowledge disparities across AA and NH/PI ethnic subgroups which may be more pronounced among South Asian and NH/PI communities. The COVID-19 pandemic will exacerbate known CVD health disparities if the pandemic mitigation strategies (e.g., disaggregated racial/ethnic data collection) are not inclusive of communities of color, immigrants and limited English fluent populations.

The effect of dialogic competencies in internal communication and D&I-oriented leadership on relational outcomes with minority employees: focusing on the perspectives of Asian employees

ABSTRACT This study focused on the experiences and perceptions of Asian employees and attempted to provide insights into effective internal communication and leadership styles related to organizational diversity and inclusion (D&I) efforts. More specifically, this study examined how the dialogic competencies of internal communication (i.e. mutuality, openness) and a D&I-oriented leadership style influence the formation of a D&I-supportive climate in the workplace and consequently strengthen the quality organization-Asian employee relationship. The study also considered the perceived authenticity and experiences of COVID-19 anti-Asian racism as key factors. Online survey results showed that dialogic competencies play a decisive role in influencing the workplace climate and, in turn, reinforcing trust, satisfaction, commitment, and control mutuality among Asian employees in their organizations. Perceived authenticity, influenced by mutuality and openness, directly or indirectly influences relational outcomes through the workplace climate. Asian employees who had experienced relatively severe COVID-19 anti-Asian racism placed more importance on the role of dialogic competencies in D&I internal communication. D&I-oriented leadership had a limited and conditional effect on fostering a workplace climate that supported D&I but not on perceived authenticity. Theoretical and practical implications were discussed.

COVID-19 anti-Asian racism, perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, and suicidal ideation among Asian American Emerging Adults

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a significant surge in COVID-19 related anti-Asian racism and hate crimes. Given the ostracising and dehumanising narrative of COVID-19 related anti-Asian hate, we examined whether COVID-19 anti-Asian racism would be associated with suicidal ideation through increased thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness among Asian American emerging adults. With data from 139 participants (Mage = 23.04), we conducted a path analysis of COVID-19 anti-Asian racism (four items) predicting suicidal ideation (item nine; Patient Health Questionnaire-9) via perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness (Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire). COVID-19 anti-Asian racism significantly predicted suicidal ideation. The indirect effect through perceived burdensomeness was significant but not through thwarted belongingness; greater COVID-19 anti-Asian racism was associated with greater perceived burdensomeness, which in turn was associated with greater suicidal ideation. The significance of perceived burdensomeness was substantiated given the non-significant direct effect. The results suggest that the ongoing COVID-19 anti-Asian racism may be an alarming risk factor for suicidal ideation for Asian American emerging adults.

The impact of anti-Asian racism on routine activities and mental health among Korean American older adults and their caregivers.

Reported anti-Asian discrimination has been on the rise since the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, limited research addresses the health impact of perceived anti-Asian racism on Asian Americans, especially among older adults, during COVID-19. To address the gap, we examined how the novel coronavirus pandemic affected Korean American older adults, one of the largest Asian subgroups. Specifically, this study addressed the magnitude of racism or discrimination related to the pandemic and impact of anti-Asian racism on negative mental health symptoms among Korean American older adults and their caregivers. We used survey data collected from 175 Korean American older adults with probable dementia and their primary caregivers (female = 62%, mean age = 71 years) who went through eligibility screening for an ongoing randomized controlled trial involving dyads in the Baltimore-Washington and the New York Metropolitan areas (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03909347). Nearly a quarter of the survey sample reported they were fearful for their safety due to anti-Asian racism related to the pandemic. Additionally, 47% of the respondents indicated changes to routine activities due to anti-Asian racism or discrimination related to COVID-19. The most common changes included avoiding walking alone or physical activities outside, followed by avoiding public transportation or leaving the house to go to any public places such as grocery stores, churches, or schools, not carrying out usual social activities, and avoiding going to health care appointments. Multinomial logistic regression revealed that people who reported changes to routine activities were at least five times more likely (adjusted odds ratio = 5.017, 95% confidence interval = 1.503, 16.748) to report negative mental health symptoms than those who did not. Being fearful for their own safety was not associated with experiencing negative mental health symptoms in the survey sample. Study findings indicate that the increased reporting of anti-Asian racism during the COVID-19 pandemic has substantially affected Korean American older adults and their caregivers. The mechanism by which changes to routine activities is related to negative mental health symptoms is unclear, future research is needed to elucidate this pathway. Furthermore, our findings highlight the importance of identifying multi-level strategies to raise awareness of and to mitigate the reported surge of racism.

“I wouldn’t say that I’m overly campy”: The socio-cultural subjugation of femininity within gay socio-sexual applications

The prevalence of femmephobic attitudes amongst gay, bisexual, and queer (GBQ) men is well-reported, yet under-discussed employing femme theory. Femmephobia, or the socio-cultural regulation of femininity, is common within GBQ online socio-sexual applications, yet more research is needed to analyze the different ways femmephobia takes place within GBQ socio-sexual applications predominately used by GBQ men. This study analyzes qualitative data from semi-structured interviews with 79 participants who described their experiences using socio-sexual applications and interacting with online outreach and health information workers. Participants described the different ways femmephobia and the regulation of femininity manifests within GBQ socio-sexual applications and how such forms of regulation relate to self-presentation and the privileging of masculinity within GBQ socio-sexual applications. Participants further described how femmephobia and the denigration of femininity intersected with anti-Asian racism online.

‘Chinese virus’

Since the emergence of COVID-19, researchers have documented an increase in cases of anti-Asian racism and hate crimes. Research shows a possible connection between the ‘Chinese virus’ discourse of the Trump administration and violence in society (Arora and Kim 2020:387). Drawing from critical discourse studies we explore 2,071 comments from one YouTube video which documents anti-China rhetoric by the Trump administration in order to understand the underlying strategies commenters relied on in their reproduction and defence of this discourse. Findings show the trickle-down influence of Trump’s discourse on YouTube commenters, but also ways in which social media created a platform for building solidarity among racist groups, as well as sites of resistance. The authors conclude by suggesting more studies attend to this type of discourse and work to educate people on how to counter it.

Critical Race Studies Now: Teaching Anti-Asian Racism within and outside of Institutions

Critical Race Studies Now: Teaching Anti-Asian Racism within and outside of Institutions

Interrogating (Proximity to) Whiteness: Asian(American) Women in Autoethnographic Sister Circles

Against the backdrop of historical and present-day anti-Asian racism, we remember, retell, and reflect on the formative experiences in the development of our critical perspectives on our racialization as Asian(American) women. In this article, we theoretically lean into Asian Critical Theory and proximity to whiteness. Methodologically, we use Autoethnographic Sister Circles to engage in a continual discursive process of individual and collaborative (counter)storytelling. We present our “findings” in the form of a dialogic spiral that embodies the messy conversations, spirit, wisdom, and care present in our sister circles. Through our work, we call on institutions and spaces of power to make a concerted effort in establishing dialogic spaces, physically and virtually, for individuals with marginalized identities. We also invite other Women of Color scholars to be in community and conversation with us through doing autoethnographic research that is authentic to them using various modal, cultural, linguistic, and land/location/time-specific methods/methodologies.

Returning to Normal?: Reimagining Study Abroad and Language Learning for a Sustainable and Equitable Future

Due to health and travel restrictions, COVID-19 has presented unusual challenges to international education. Meanwhile, the pandemic has also become a historical juncture overlapping with other political and cultural moments (e.g., renewed Black Lives Matter movement, resurgence of anti-Asian racism, extreme weather phenomena). These events have propelled a reconsideration of the complex relationship between access to and participation in study abroad, language learning, and social and environmental justice. In this paper, we draw on our collective experiences as practitioners and researchers across three languages (Arabic, Mandarin, Spanish) to argue that study abroad must be a part of equitable and sustainable world language education curricula. We begin by reflecting on existing issues related to access and participation in U.S.-based study abroad and the underlying ideologies that reinforce them. We then provide possibilities – within our spheres of influence – to reconceptualize study abroad from critical and translingual perspectives in an effort to contest ideologies and shift towards a more diverse and inclusive study abroad programming. Lastly, we suggest possible ways to better integrate at home, virtual, and study abroad opportunities in language learning curricula, some of which may serve as alternatives to study abroad, especially in an environmentally and politically volatile world where social privilege shapes access to international education.

Leveraging moral foundations for corporate social advocacy combating anti-Asian racism: A computational approach

ABSTRACT CSA on racial justice issues has become more popular in recent years. With the rising number of hate crimes against Asian Americans, including the Atlanta spa shooting incident, companies must consider how to position themselves in racial conversations to fulfill their civic responsibilities and create positive social impacts. This study employed the Moral Foundation Theory (MFT) to assess companies’ CSA communication regarding #StopAsianHate and its role in promoting public engagement on Twitter. The study analyzed 1,253 tweets posted by 469 business accounts engaging in the conversation about Stop Asian Hate on Twitter to identify prevalent CSA themes, various moral values used in CSA messages, and the relationship between the use of various moral values and public engagement (i.e. likes and retweets) on Twitter. This study adds to CSA scholarship by stressing a moral stance and providing suggestions for companies to leverage moral discourse in anti-Asian racism activism on social media.

Blaming Asians for coronavirus: the role of valenced framing and discrete emotions in hostile media effect

ABSTRACT Prior research indicates news sources affect hostile media perceptions, but the role of valenced framing and discrete emotions in perceived media bias remains under-explored. Based on the framing theory and hostile media effect, the study uses an experiment with 2 (CNN vs. Fox News) × 2 (Positive framing vs. Negative framing) design to examine the mediating role of discrete emotions (e.g. hope, anger, and sadness), as well as the moderating effects of racial prejudice. In contrast to prior scholarship, news sources in the study did not influence perceived media bias. However, the results show that hope, anger, and sadness all mediate the relationship between valenced framing and hostile media effect. Such effect was moderated by individuals’ racial prejudice. Implications of these findings for combating anti-Asian racism and future hostile media effect research are discussed.

Understanding Anti-Asian Racism from Communication Perspectives: Insights from a Rapid Literature Review

Background: Given the escalating anti-Asian racism and xenophobia caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, this Research in Brief presents a rapid review of relevant research published between March 2020 and February 2022 in cultural studies and communication journals. Analysis: The data collection identified only 13 articles published by the target journals, indicating the marginal status of communication and media studies in the expanding body of research on anti-Asian racism. Further qualitative thematic analysis of the 13 articles revealed their analytical emphasis on anti-Asian discourse and rhetoric online. Meanwhile, the structural factors underlying the reproduction of systemic racism remain underexplored. Conclusion and implications: Based on this rapid review, it is recommended that future research pay more attention to how racial tension and discrimination are woven into everyday communications across a range of media including social media, traditional media, and interpersonal communication. There is also an urgent need for communication scholars to develop intersectional lenses that facilitate the critical analysis of macro factors (class, gender, geopolitics, etc.) that contribute to the reproduction of racial hierarchy in Canada and other settler states.

Profiles of a COVID-19 Syndemic: Anti-Asian Racism, Economic Challenges, and Mental and Physical Health.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Asians/Asian Americans have experienced co-occurring threats of anti-Asian racism, economic challenges, and negative mental and physical health symptoms. We examined the co-occurrence of COVID-19-related anti-Asian discrimination and collective racism, economic stressors, and mental and physical health challenges for Asians/Asian Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic. We also examined Asian/Asian American subgroups associated with these threats. Nationally representative data from the 2021 Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander COVID-19 Needs Assessment Project (unweighted N = 3,508) were used to conduct a latent profile analysis to identify unique typologies of the co-occurrence of these threats. We also conducted chi-square analyses to investigate subgroup differences by latent profile. We identified five distinct latent profiles: multi-threat impact, low impact, collective racism, health challenges, and economic/health challenges. Forty percent of Asians/Asian Americans were in the multi-threat impact profile, indicating high levels across COVID-19-related threats. Subgroup analyses revealed significant differences in profile membership. East Asians, US-born Asians/Asian Americans, and those aged 25-44 seemed to be particularly affected by the proposed syndemic; results also differed by income. Asians/Asian Americans have experienced co-occurring and interrelated threats during COVID-19 that suggest the presence of a syndemic. Results from our study point to vulnerable Asian/Asian American subgroups and the need for targeted public health efforts to address racism, health challenges, and economic challenges in the context of COVID-19.

The cost of anti-Asian racism during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Anti-Chinese sentiment increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, presenting as a considerable spike in overt violence and hatred directed at Asian American individuals. However, it is less clear how subtle patterns of consumer discrimination, which are difficult to directly observe yet greatly impact Asian American livelihoods, changed through the pandemic. Here we examine this in the context of restaurants-ubiquitous small businesses that sell goods that are closely entwined with ethnicity. Using a series of surveys, online search trends and consumer traffic data, we find that Asian restaurants experienced an 18.4% decrease in traffic (estimated US$7.42 billion lost revenue in 2020) relative to comparable non-Asian restaurants, with greater decreases in areas with higher levels of support for Donald Trump. Our findings are consistent with the roles of collective blame, out-group homogeneity and ethnic misidentification in explaining how anti-China rhetoric can harm the Asian American community, underlining the importance of avoiding racism and stigmatization in political and public health communications.

The mental health of Asian American adolescents and young adults amid the rise of anti-Asian racism.

We describe the perceptions and experiences of anti-Asian racism and violence and depression severity prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic among a sample of Asian American (AA) adolescents and young adults. We used data from the Young Asian American Health Survey (YAAHS), an online-recruited sample of AA adolescents (ages 13-17) and young adults (ages 18-29 years) conducted during May 2021 to March 2022. We presented descriptive statistics examining the univariate distribution and bivariate relationships of depression severity, sociodemographic characteristics, and experiences and perceptions of anti-Asian violence. Our sample (n = 176) comprised AA adolescents and young adults from 17 Asian ethnicities. A quarter said that the frequency and/or severity of their personal experiences of anti-Asian harassment had increased since the pandemic started. 76% indicated feeling less safe now than before the pandemic. Two-thirds reported that their depressive symptoms have increased since the pandemic started. Participants who reported feeling less safe now than before the pandemic were more likely to report increased personal experiences with anti-Asian harassment and increased depression severity since the pandemic started than those who reported feeling as safe or safer before the pandemic (p < 0.01 for both). Findings illustrate AA adolescent and young adults are experiencing multiple health and social crises stemming from increased anti-Asian racism during the COVID-19 pandemic. We urge policymakers to strengthen data systems that connect racial discrimination and mental health and to institute prevention measures and anti-racist mental health services that are age- and culturally-appropriate for AA adolescent and young adults.

"I Have a Wish": Anti-Asian Racism and Facing Challenges Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Asian International Graduate Students.

Although Asian international graduate students (AIGS) were at risk for mental health problems during the pandemic, little is known about the experience of international students during COVID-19. This study aimed to examine the experiences of AIGS who lived in the United States during COVID-19. This qualitative descriptive study included 22 participants from five large universities in Philadelphia. Semi-structured interviews were conducted during September and October 2020, and a thematic analysis was used for data analyses. Three themes were found: (a) "We are left alone here": Being an international student; (b) "Stay busy" and "Do something": Being a graduate student; and (c) "I have a wish": Seeking for support, perceived support, and preferred counseling services as a self-advocator. Help is needed for AIGS to navigate uncertainties, provide proper coping skills, make efforts against anti-Asian racism, and provide culturally based mental health resources.

Trends in Racial Discrimination Experiences for Asian Americans During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Asian Americans (AAs) are experiencing increased rates of anti-Asian racism during COVID-19. Experiences of racism, whether personal or collective, constitute stress and psychosocial trauma that negatively impact mental and physical health. Examine subgroup differences in rates of personal experience of discrimination and COVID-related collective racism and how each is associated with mental and physical health for AAs. Nationally representative data from the 2021 Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander COVID-19 Needs Assessment Project were used to estimate prevalence rates of discrimination and average COVID-related collective racism scores for AAs (unweighted N = 3478). We conducted logistic and linear regression models to examine subgroup differences by sociodemographic factors. We also conducted hierarchical logistic regression models to examine associations between racism and psychological distress and health decline. Twenty-four percent of AAs (95% CI: 21.6, 25.6) reported experiencing discrimination during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Subgroup analyses revealed that Chinese, younger adults, and AAs who completed the survey in an Asian language were significantly more likely to experience discrimination compared to their counterparts. For COVID-related collective racism, subgroup analyses revealed that Chinese, women, and adults ages 25-44 were more likely to report experiences of collective racism compared to their counterparts. Both discrimination and collective racism were independently associated with negative mental and physical health. Discrimination and COVID-related collective racism are associated with negative mental and physical health outcomes for AAs. Results point to vulnerable AA subgroups and the need for targeted public health efforts to address racism in the context of COVID-19.

Hidden Geographies: Migration, Intersectionality, and Social Justice in a Global Contemporaneous Space

In June 2020, a group of transnational scholars responded to an invitation to participate in a themed issue on migration and social justice, following the American Association of Geographers statement against discrimination and hate crimes resulting from COVID-19 (May 2020; followed by a 2021 statement against anti-Asian racism and violence) and its statement on Racism and the Death of George Floyd (June 2020). The six articles bring together an exceptionally diverse scholarship on hidden geographies of migration, immigration, and transnational migration; the intersections of race, gender, ethnicity, class, nationality, and citizenship in creating systems of oppression and discrimination; and social justice in a global contemporaneous space. This article (1) introduces the context shaping the birth of this Focus section, including the conjuncture of events, embodied effects, and the disciplinary past; (2) discusses its echoing with antiracist and feminist geography scholarship and race and ethnicity scholarship (primarily by women of color), and its creative contribution, as a collection, to connecting the conceptual theme of “hidden geographies” with the epistemological thinking of “contemporaneous geography;” and (3) highlights the analytical tool of intersectionality and summarizes all six articles and their contributions to the Focus section themes as the global “hidden geographies” project continues to empower more.

Understanding Chinese international students in the U.S. in Times of the COVID-19 crisis: from a Chinese discourse studies perspective

ABSTRACT Using the Chinese Discourse Studies (CNDS) as a theoretical framework, this study seeks to challenge the cultural essentialism and uncritical roots of existing literature, with an aim to expose long-standing patterns of Western totalizing discourse in the field of international education research. This exploratory article explores how Chinese international students as cultural agents respond to the global pandemic and pandemic-related stereotypes. Through a critical analysis of 21 Chinese students’ narratives, this article identifies three culturally specific characteristics that pervade Chinese normative dialogues: (1) Chinese dialectics, (2) Chinese harmony, and (3) Chinese self-criticism. They are often employed to emphasize Chinese optimistic attitudes in times of crisis, avoidance of confrontation for harmonious communication, and moral character of self-introspection to conform to the social norm. This article offers new empirical evidence for the reconstruction of the Chinese paradigm of discourse studies and reveals the inappropriateness of Western scholarship for understanding non-Western linguistic and communicative events and practices. In sum, this article demonstrates that Chinese discourse studies can be a potential decolonial option to depart from deep-seated scholarship in Western intellectual supremacy and a visionary framework to advance multicultural discourses about international education against the backdrop of geopolitical tensions and anti-Asian racism.

Beyond the Numbers: How Focusing on Compositional Diversity Downplays Anti-Asian Racism

In Short Asian American students reported increasingly hostile racial climates, with misinformation and anti-Asian sentiments being spread on social media, other students physically shunning Asian students, and Asian internationals experiencing restrictions and fears of surveillance. Asian and Asian Americans remain on the fringe when it comes to higher education diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) discussions and efforts, under the stereotypical assumption that they are “model minorities.” Among the reasons there may be less attention on campus racial climates for Asian Americans is based a narrow and insufficient focus on compositional diversity—numerical representation of groups in higher education. A dynamic, multicontexual approach that incorporates faculty, staff, and students in better supporting Asian and Asian Americans in higher education is needed.