In the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic, there has been a spike in anti-Asian harassment and violence, with a reported 1600 hate incidents against Asian-Americans in recent months. Professor Louie points out that this recent surge in anti-Asian racist sentiment and activity is part of a long history of suspicion and discrimination against Asian immigrants and Americans of Asian descent. “Along with other nonwhite groups and groups that are popularly seen as white but still are not fully accepted, Asian Americans have consistently been seen as a racial, cultural and economic threat, not worthy of being real Americans,” she writes in a May 19th New York Daily News op-ed. Professor Louie argues that Asian-American Studies and Ethnic Studies programs are crucial for students—and our larger society—to first understand the historical and social context of recent events, and then to work towards a better future.
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