Some one thousand students and administrators are condemning a surge in hate crimes at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where 14 percent of the student body and staff is Asian American or Pacific Islander, reports the Journal Times.
The rise in bias incidents became visible when vandals scrawled “f*ck the Chinese government” and “It’s from China #Chinesevirus” on campus, according to Madison.365.com.
The graffiti mimics language by President Trump which many have blamed for the rise in hate crimes faced by Asian Americans nationwide. The Journal Times reported there have been 81 reports of hate crimes at UWM this semester and half have been directed at Asian or international students.
“It’s important to remember: No one person, country, or ethnicity created this pandemic — disease does not discriminate,” a statement from the University said. “We want to be clear that racist behaviors or stereotyping of any kind are not tolerated at UW–Madison — no matter if we are online, passing others in public, or quarantined at home.”
A petition with some 1,000 signatures condemning the incidents has been collected and some 350 attended a virtual town hall to address the issue Thursday.
“We are aware of an increase in bias incidents on or near campus and online that have targeted our Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi-American students and employees, particularly those from or perceived to be from China and East Asia,” said University of Wisconsin Chancellor Becky Blank who joined the condemnation in an interview with Madison365.
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RE: Anti Chinese graffiti discovered at University of Wisconsin as hate crimes rise on campus: In fact we should be thanking China for how to deal with this pandemic. They were hit first, learned what to do to address it, and in fact has set the standard as to how to flatten the curve and survive it.
RE: Anti-Chinese graffiti discovered at University of Wisconsin as hate crimes rise on campus: Even if the virus originated in China, that’s no excuse for racism against an ethnic group. H1N1 originated in the US.