I'm angry about the anti-Asian sentiment in this pandemic

Following the pandemic, I wanted to raise awareness to the sudden surge of racism and racially-based discrimination and violence that has unfortunately been targeting Asians around the world. I wrote an article that objectively describes the situation along with ways to help and get involved. But I wanted to add onto what I wrote with a personal approach and express my anger towards this anti-Asian sentiment that has been spreading as fast as the coronavirus.

May is the month of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month - a month in which celebrates the successes, achievements, and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to America. But, amidst the outbreak, this celebration and appreciation have been overlooked and under appreciated because of the careless ignorance, discrimination and violence, and the growing (and unnecessary) hatred towards the Asian community.

Courtesy of PBS https://www.pbs.org/newshour/arts/i-am-not-a-virus-how-this-artist-is-illustrating-coronavirus-fueled-racism

My article explains some of the incentives behind the recent racism, as well as awful real life examples that have been circling around the Internet. Some of which included the viral video of the homeless elderly Asian man in San Fransisco who was ridiculed and had his cart of cans stolen. There were some that I can even barely watch, and these videos just keep coming! (Look at @jackfroot and @nextshark on Instagram who covers these stories).

This time should be a time of solidarity and support for one another because we're all under the same umbrella, experiencing the same thing, and suffering altogether in this global health crises; but I find it sad that there are people out there who have the audacity and time to spew and spread hatred. It just makes me so mad that people's minds can be this narrow. I know it's hard to look at what's happening, but it is important that we share this and raise awareness of this awful racism that the Asian community is sadly facing.

Before the performance of a traditional Filipino folk dance called the Itik-Itik. Circa 2011.

I am fortunate enough to not face this experience yet, and I hope none my Asian readers do or will in the future. Since Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is supposed to be a month of appreciation, I challenge you to create something - whether it's a photograph, a poem, or something artistic - that represents your heritage and culture, or perhaps a piece of history that's important to you, in celebration of APAHM. And then use the tag #APAHM2020 on Instagram or Twitter and encourage others to do it! Let's spread joy, appreciation, and love instead of hate and racism.