Hi everyone! My name is Reyna Bilby and I’m a 4th year sociology major at Dalhousie University. Last time you saw me, I joined Truro Buzz in a conversation about Black Lives Matter and being an ally to the community. This time I’m back because for the first time in a long time my community is under attack. My parents raised a proud Filipino Canadian woman and I’ve always shared my identity with pride. But with the recent increase in violence against Asians, I’m scared, and I know other Asians are as well.
Due to the association of covid-19 with China, many people have been taking their anger out on members of the Asian community. Recent statistics from the US have shown that there have been 500 attacks against Asians in the past 2 months. These attacks range from verbal abuse on the streets, to a Filipino man being slashed in the face while traveling home, the murder of 8 Asian women in American this past week.
This isn’t the first time Asians in Canada and the United States have experienced a radical increase in hate crimes. These increases were seen during World War II, the Korean War, and during the war in Vietnam. But I like to think, as a society, we are better now then we were then. It’s easy to get sucked in by the media and have our opinions swayed when we’re presented with very compelling false information. However, picking a fight with the Asian community will not solve the pandemic nor is it productive in any other way.
Attacking Asians is not the solution to any of your problems.
Attacking Asians will not stop the spread of covid-19.
Attacking Asians will not cure the disease.
We are not your scapegoat.
We need to prevent a normalization of racism against Asians. In Truro we have some amazing Asian owned and operated businesses and now is the time to show your support. In addition to showing love to members of our community, be sure to take some time to investigate the information you may come across on the internet. This will prevent the spread of misinformation that has been contributing to the hate crimes. Finally, I just wanted to take time to remind everyone that placing the blame for the corona virus on a single race of people will not bring any good into the world. During such uncertain times the world does not need more hate. We need to lift each other up because we’re all in this together.
Blog by : Reyna Bilby – 4th year Sociology major and proud member of the Asian-Canadian community.
