Police are looking for a man in New York City who without provocation struck a Korean American woman in the face, leaving her both stunned and bruised.
Kate Bae shared the incident on Facebook.
“This guy came towards me and punched me on my face,” Bae said. “I flew back. He must have pulled my mask and punched me, that’s why I have so much dirt on my face. I hit my head but I am surprisingly okay.”
Bae, who is both an artist and curator, managed to get up off the ground and chase after the suspect, but he escaped.
“When I screamed ‘stop right there,’ he started running away,” she told Hyperallergenic.
It happened on the corner of 42nd and 6th. She has filed a police report, but so far the suspect has not been identified.
Bae went to work that morning, but her boss insisted she go to the emergency room to get treated for bruising and mild injuries to the face, neck and legs.
She says she has endured racism throughout the pandemic, but this is the first time she’s been physically attacked.
“People yell at me ‘go back to China’ or ‘hey, coronavirus.’ I face these attacks at least twice a week on my way to work,” she said.
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So so sorry. How horrible. I’m glad she spoke up. We all have to speak up loud and clear and use mainstream media to draw more attention and action against this racism. Thank you AsAm for reporting on this.
Racism against Asians has gotten out of hand. We need to voice that Asian lives Matter too.
FYI: You need a better editor. It’s 42nd and 6th Ave. Not Street.
This needs to stop happening…….Feel so sorry for this young lady …… I hope they catch this guy😠 leave people alone criminal!
This is why I work from home now
When you see these kind of people, you have to eyeball them. Look them in the eye briefly. These type of people desire to be seen. If they see that you saw them then they will forego their attack. Just make eye contact and nod. Don’t hold their gaze too long. Otherwise they will find that threatening.
From experience in just living, encounters with hooligans is inevitable; just make yourself not look like a target. Walk upright with your back straight. Look alert. Let them see pepper spray in your hand. Or at least interlace your keys with your fingers. Metal keys pointing out of your fist intimidate and discourage any would-be assailant. It snaps him out of his intent.