From viral TikToks of elders being assaulted to viral hashtags like #StopAsianHate, Asian Americans are navigating a dangerous reality: racial violence has spiked sharply since COVID-19 began, fueled by political rhetoric that turned a virus into a weapon. 🔥
Experts say the pandemic unleashed a \"perfect storm\" of xenophobia. Politicians repeatedly used terms like \"China virus\", amplifying centuries-old stereotypes that paint Asian communities as \"perpetual foreigners\". The result? A 339% surge in anti-Asian hate crimes in 2021 alone, with many victims reporting verbal abuse, physical assaults, or vandalism. 📈
\"We’re seeing generational trauma unfold,\" says activist Lisa Nguyen. \"My parents survived war, but now they’re scared to leave their apartment.\" Stories like hers highlight a chilling paradox: some Asian Americans fear hate crimes more than COVID-19 itself. 🏠🔒
While grassroots groups organize patrols and self-defense workshops, advocates stress that systemic change requires political accountability. With midterms approaching, community leaders are demanding lawmakers address hate speech—not weaponize it. 🗳️✊
