Photo: Orchids Garden Chinese Restaurant in Las Vegas, Wikimedia Commons
Since coronavirus cases have appeared on US soil, anti-Asian sentiment has been on the rise. There have been reports of racist attacks on Asian people and huge drops in patronage at Chinese restaurants, following trends of hate worldwide. The racism that we’re seeing is in keeping with a long history of stereotypes of Asian people, particularly those who are East and Southeast Asian, as “uncivilized” and “dirty.” An important part of resisting the coronavirus is also resisting xenophobic fear and panic. Let’s get to it.