With the ongoing spread of the coronavirus around the world, xenophobia is also on the
rise from loaded hashtags on social media to physical violence on the streets of some
major cities. We've seen numerous reports of people of Asian
descent primarily East Asians from China, Japan and South Korea being accused of carrying
the COVID-19 virus and facing discrimination and even assault in both verbal and physical
forms. But now, xenophobia is also rising against
non-Asian ethnicities too, as the disease spreads within continental Europe.
To look into this worrying phenomenon, we connect with Dr. Bruce Y. Lee, Doctor of Medicine
and medical journalist based in New York. We also have Dr. Diana Yeh, Senior Lecturer
of Sociology at City University of London. But before we delve into the issue of xenophobia,...
I'd like to ask you, first, Dr. Lee a brief question about the World Health Organisation's
decision to label the COVID-19 a global pandemic. First, do you think it was a timely decision
given criticism it came far too late? And do you think the outbreak is still manageable
as
the WHO claims? Pandemic isn't a word that's used lightly
as it can incite panic. Of course, we've already seen this happening,... which helped give
rise to a wave of xenophobia. Which is our main topic of discussion today Dr. Diana Yeh,
you've been studying racism and ethnicity for years in the UK,... where you've highlighted
'invisible' discrimination against East Asians. It's become quite conspicuous now. What worries
you most about this surge of xenophobia?
Dr. Lee, when it comes to anti-Asian sentiment, we saw this with SARS in the early 2000s.
What makes this coronavirus outbreak different bringing out more racist behavior compared
to previous outbreaks like SARS or MERS?
Dr. Yeh, people of East Asian descent are underrepresented in many aspects of mainstream
culture. Generally speaking, most aren’t confrontational and won’t speak out as often
as other ethnic groups. Do you think this crisis could become an eye-opener for the
Asian community?
Dr. Lee, a French newspaper has used a bunch of inflammatory headlines including the word
"Yellow ” and described the virus as "yellow peril". Do you think the media is fueling
such racism and what do you think the media should do to be a part of the solution, not
the problem?
It's also up to us as members of society to educate ourselves and stand up for those who
are being irrationally targeted. There are hashtags such as #iwilleatwithyou
trending on social media
to support Chinese/Asian restaurants and other things as well. You are actually an organiser
of this movement. How has the reaction been to the hashtag. Is there anything else we
can do to
combat racism?
That's where we have to wrap up this discussion. If you want to join the #iwilleatithyou movement,
you can find it on Twitter. As another hashline goes, Asians are not a
virus. But what does spread sickness is the irrational placement of stigma, fear and hatred
that causes division in times where solidarity is needed more than ever.
Thank you
for
your time today, Dr. Bruce Y. Lee
and Dr. Diana Yeh, joining us from New York and London.