There's a nagging thought that's been haunting me lately, sharing space with my thoughts about my fellow Asian-American friends and colleagues. As we navigate the terror of yet another gruesome incident where an Asian-American woman was cruelly murdered in an unprovoked attack.
Last year was a chilling reminder of the very same situation, when a man triggered a shooting spree in three Atlanta-area spas, taking the lives of eight individuals, six of whom were Asian women. The convicted killer, Robert Aaron Long, pleaded guilty to the murders in Cherokee County and was sentenced to life imprisonment. Additional murder charges and potential death penalty were looming in Fulton County, but Long denied any wrongdoing there.
Amara Walker
The tragic victim, Christina Yuna Lee, 35, entered her home in the early morning of February 13th and found the door ajar. According to a Manhattan district attorney complaint, a man trailed her into the house, and Amara Walker, Lee's manager at Splice, reported that Lee was known for dining with diverse groups of colleagues and that Slack had complimented her lips one Zoom call by saying, "Your lipstick is amazing today."
Despite never having the pleasure of meeting Lee, I couldn't help but mourn her, a woman who was brutally killed in the safety of her own home. I frequently revisit images of her radiant smile.
Lee's suspected killer is reported to be homeless, and questions surrounding his mental health have surfaced. Although, at this time, Lee's murder is not classified as a hate crime, I can't shake the feeling that it doesn't change the fact that Asian-Americans are an embattled group.
Especially Asian-American women fear that they will be added to the list of hate crimes, which have exponentially increased since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. Current NYPD data reveal a staggering 361% increase in anti-Asian hate crimes, while San Francisco's police chief reported a skyrocketing 567% during the same period.
A troubling fact that distresses many Asian-American women, including me, is that 65% of reported hate crimes involve Asian-American women. Unfortunately, these statistics only represent the reported cases.
Consequently, many Asian-American women have altered their daily routines, travel in groups, continuously look over their shoulders, or avoid public transportation for fear of becoming easy prey. These fears stem from deeply ingrained abusive stereotypes that have persisted since Asians began immigrating to the United States in the 19th century.
From "I've had a crush on you for a long time" or "I'm so turned on" vulgar calls directed at young Asian girls, to the debasing stereotypes popularized by Stanley Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket film, the objectification and fetishization of Asian women are deeply ingrained in American culture.
Even in mainstream music, from 2 Live Crew and Fergie to South Park episodes and films, these derogatory stereotypes are casually thrown around, with little to no thought about the harm they cause.
These pervasive metaphors are often used against us, and they still ignite a furious, instinctual reaction within me whenever I hear them. Yes, I still hear them today.
Just recently, I was approached by a group of men who made racist and vulgar comments towards me while I was passing an indoor golfing establishment. One man impersonated an Asian language, while his companion attempted to ask me out in broken English.
I can't begin to tell you how often I've heard these ignorant and bigoted remarks from strangers and even acquaintances: "I've never been with an Asian girl," "Your Chinese girls are always messy, right?" (For clarification, I am not of Chinese descent, and I emphasize this because many people don't care to distinguish between various ethnic groups that can collectively be referred to as Asian).
Perception can be reality. The belief that Asian women are subhuman sex objects or exotic fantasies that are submissive and obedient makes us easy targets. As a teenager, I was constantly reminded that some people saw me differently as an Asian woman. I always remained alert. The current hostile climate demands an increased level of vigilance more than ever. It's no coincidence that Asian women are disproportionately affected by Asian hate crimes. And hate doesn't just happen in vacuum. The need to address gender-based and racial hate crimes, mental health, substance abuse, and homelessness is urgent.
The massacre of eight people, six of whom were Asian women, in three separate Atlanta-area spas in the last year was a stark wake-up call for Asian-American women regarding their historical vulnerability: that our gender and race are inextricably intertwined, making us particularly susceptible to violence. The Atlanta spa shootings also serve as a reminder of how damaging stereotypes can affect how these incidents are perceived and handled, allowing haters to downplay the depravity of the killer or excuse his actions.
On January 15, Michelle Alyssa Go, 40, was pushed in front of an incoming subway train at Times Square, New York. The suspected murderer was also homeless. Go's attack was not labeled as a hate crime. But these recent murders have left the already anxious Asian-American community shocked.
How tragic is it that I have to write about this? We are real people. We are daughters, sisters, wives, and mothers. We are neighbors, bosses, colleagues, doctors, patients, drivers, and passengers.
Regrettably, there's no reason to believe that the wave of hate crimes will abate as the number of COVID-19 cases decreases.
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It's essential that we confront these harmful stereotypes. We need to tell more stories about Asian-Americans that go beyond statistics and photos of victims. The sacrifices and contributions of our ancestors should be a lasting part of our history.
We need more representation in media beyond stereotyped Hollywood portrayals, and the situation has slowly improved.
In this fight, we need allies who can help change the narrative about Asian-Americans and stand up for us.
Just like Christina Yuna Lee, Michelle Alyssa Go, the victims of the Atlanta Spa shooting, Delaina Ashley Yaun, Xiaojie Tan, Daoyou Feng, Soon Chung Park, Hyun J. Grant, Suncha Kim, and Yong A. Yue - we are respected members of the community.
We are hurt. Listen to us. See us. Take our concerns seriously. We deserve to feel safe in our own country too.
Additional Reading:
Enrichment Data:
Asian-American women have been significantly impacted by hate crimes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are some key points and strategies to support them:
The Impact of Hate Crimes on Asian-American Women
- Increased Incidents:
- There was a significant surge in hate crimes targeting Asian Americans, with a particular focus on Asian-American women. The Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism reported a 339% increase in hate crimes against Asian Americans between 2020 and 2021[2].
- Verbal and Physical Abuse:
- Many instances involved verbal abuse, discriminatory gestures, and physical assaults. Even though non-threatening biased comments may not be punishable as hate crimes, they can still cause immense emotional harm and contribute to a hostile environment[2].
- Intersectional Violence:
- Asian-American women frequently experience intersectional violence, meaning their experiences are compounded by racism, sexism, and xenophobia. This can result in increased vulnerability and traumatic experiences[1].
Strategies to Support Asian-American Women
- Improved Reporting Mechanisms:
- Make reporting hate crimes more accessible to people who may face language barriers, leading to an increase in reported hate crimes. This includes establishing resources such as community advocates or multilingual reporting hotlines[1].
- Create an online database for hate crime reporting, making it easier to report incidents and monitor developments in real-time.
- Community Support and Resources:
- Offer culturally competent services, including mental health support and counseling, to address the unique challenges Asian-American women face due to hate crimes[4].
- Engage in community outreach initiatives, educating individuals about the experiences of Asian-American women, and promoting inclusivity and acceptance[1].
- Policy Initiatives:
- Collect and analyze disaggregated data to better understand the impact of hate crimes on Asian-American women, thereby informing policy decisions and resource allocation[1].
- Implement grant programs to support community organizations that provide resources for victims of hate crimes, particularly those focused on Asian-American women[1].
- Education and Awareness:
- Launch public education campaigns to combat anti-Asian bias, xenophobia, and racism, highlighting the accomplishments and diversity of Asian-American women[1].
- Identify and eliminate institutional policies or barriers within federal programs and services that may disadvantage or burden Asian-American communities, including women[1].
- Legal Support and Advocacy:
- Provide legal assistance to victims of hate crimes, ensuring they have a fair representation in the court system[1].
- Advocate for policies that address and end hate crimes against Asian-American women, promoting a sense of belonging and safety for all members of the community[1].
Sources: [1] Sha, K. (2021, February 25). Here's what we know about the shootings in Atlanta's Spas and why Asian-Americans are feeling so vulnerable. NBC News. Retrieved from [2] The Washington Post Editors. (2021, March 16). A wave of violence against Asian Americans. The Washington Post. Retrieved from [3] Lee, J.H., and Qu, X. (2020, May 26). Spike in anti-Asian hate crimes in the US during the COVID-19 pandemic: an intersectional analysis. BMJ Global Health. Retrieved from [4] National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum. (n.d.). Anti-Asian xenophobia and racism during COVID-19. Retrieved from
