from Wikimedia Creative Commons by SF Bay Walk
Some 300 people have stepped up to escort Chinatown seniors following a rash of attacks in the Bay Area, reports CNN.
Jacob Azevedo knew he had to do something after he saw a teen on video push a defenseless 84-year-old Thai American man down to the ground so hard that he died. Then days later, another teen shoved a 91-year-old Asian man into the sidewalk in Oakland Chinatown and went on to attack two other people.
Azevedo’s volunteers come from all races and backgrounds.
“This is important because this community just needs healing,” Azevedo said to CNN. “There’s a lot of racial tensions going on because of the previous president’s rhetoric but in general our communities need healing. This is an issue that’s been ongoing for a while.”
Other groups are calling for volunteers to serve Chinatown seniors and do what they can to help the community.
“It’s difficult to shove a senior citizen to the ground if you see yourself in them, if you have a relationship to them,” said Ener Chiu of East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation to KQED. “It’s difficult to racially profile someone if you’re not afraid of them—if you’ve played together in our parks and recreation centers. But we need to invest in community safety and infrastructure and spaces and people who can bring those communities together and into relationship.”
In 2020, Stop AAPI hate reported receiving more than 2800 incidents of anti-Asian violence and harassment nationwide. Community organizers blame the scapegoating against the Asian community during the coronavirus pandemic.
“This is a problem and issue that doesn’t get a lot of attention, especially in low income communities,” said Cynthia Choi of Chinese for Affirmative Action to CNN. ” And of course the pandemic, I think has exacerbated the conditions and exposed racial disparities.”
AsAmNews has Asian America in its heart. We’re an all-volunteer effort of dedicated staff and interns. Check out our new Instagram account. Go to our Twitter feed and Facebook page for more content. Please consider interning, joining our staff, or making a financial contribution to support us.