Press release from North Carolina Asian Americans Together:
To monitor and document incidents of anti-Asian discrimination in North Carolina stemming from racialization of the COVID-19 outbreak, North Carolina Asian Americans Together (NCAAT) has launched a statewide bias reporting portal. This initiative will provide NCAAT with insight to help advocate on behalf of our community members throughout North Carolina. [https://www.ncaatogether.org/biasreporting]
Months into a global pandemic and public health crisis, national news of increased xenophobia and racially charged assaults against people perceived to be East Asian cannot be avoided here in North Carolina. NCAAT has been aware of racially motivated incidents against Asian American students on UNC-Chapel Hill and NCSU campuses, and within our networks anxiety and fear from increased scrutiny have become a part of regular discourse.
There are tangible repercussions to this pervasive rhetoric, local-owned Asian businesses and restaurants are suffering from the economic impact of the current bias against Asians (and Asian food). While we hope that this racialized narrative doesn’t normalize anti-Asian racism long-term, the current discrimination has already caused irreparable damage to the mental health and wellbeing of many in our community.
“We do not expect racist and xenophobic ideology and rhetoric to vanish once this pandemic ends,” NCAAT Executive Director Chavi Koneru said. “It is imperative that we acknowledge these incidents within the context of a larger system of US imperialism and white supremacy. The effects of COVID-19 will not be felt equitably in this country, we recognize that Black, Indigenous, immigrant, and other historically marginalized communities are already feeling disproportionate harm and trauma. There is more need than ever to work together to dismantle racist and harmful narratives for the betterment of all of our communities. ”
NCAAT is offering a safe space to report anti-Asian discrimination at www.ncaatogether.org/biasreporting. NCAAT will not release or disclose any personal information without prior consent. All submissions will remain anonymous unless otherwise requested.
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