Rather than responding with more aggression, some Asian Americans are taking a creative approach to addressing xenophobia and racism against Asians amid the novel coronavirus.
Bay Area siblings Abey and Sabrina Lin are hoping their short film “Catching Love” will remind people that no individual is a virus.
The two fourth generation Chinese Americans uploaded their homemade video on YouTube in February to emphasize the importance of unity in these times.
Over the course of three minutes, the Lin siblings capture over 20 people giving a self-introduction of their names and distinctive qualities.
For instance, a man named Stephen tells viewers he is a father, while Matthew identifies himself as a student. At the end, all interviewees repeat, “I am not a virus,” “I am a human,” and “We are all human.”
LATEST STORIES
In an interview with KTVU, the film’s writer and director Abey Lin explained that he “didn’t want to just sit and do nothing.”
Abey Lin is currently studying at the Beijing Film Academy. He said he and his sister Sabrina, the film’s assistant director, aimed to do everything they could as artists to address the stigma and prejudice around the virus.
Sabrina Lin said that she could “feel the tension” in public spaces.
“From the moment the virus spread beyond China, every second we walked in a public space, you could feel that people were glaring at you,” the high school senior told KTVU.
“Catching Love” has garnered over 3,900 views since being uploaded. The Daily Californian described the video as revealing a “strong and resonant message” for people to remind themselves of what they have in common.
According to Abey Lin, that was the whole objective of “Catching Love.”
“The virus does not discriminate and neither should we,” he told KTVU.
AsAmNews has Asian America in its heart. We’re an all-volunteer effort of dedicated staff and interns. Check out ourTwitter feed andFacebook page for more content. Please consider interning, joining our staff or submitting a story.
