Today, the Angus Reid Institute released a study detailing the prevalence of fear and hatred towards Chinese Canadians during COVID-19. This alarming trend – which has been referred to as the “Shadow Pandemic” – hits home for me.
It’s yet another reminder that racism is real, and it has devastating effects on peoples’ lives every single day.
50% of Chinese Canadians say they have been called names or insulted as a direct result of COVID 19 Many have been threatened or physically attacked in their own neighbourhood. Over 50% fear that Asian children will be bullied at school, and 61% say they have changed their daily routines to avoid these terrible encounters – just to be safe.
These experiences are upsetting, troubling, and sadly far too familiar to the stories I’ve heard directly from Canadians across the country.
To anyone who has experienced this – I want you to know that I’m with you.
As a proud Chinese Canadian, I will always stand up for Canadian values of acceptance, inclusion, and diversity.
From trailblazers like Margaret Jean Gee who was the first woman of Chinese descent called to the bar in British Columbia, to Olympians like figure skater Patrick Chan, to William Lore who was the first Chinese Canadian officer in the Royal Canadian Navy – Chinese Canadians continue to make invaluable contributions to the social, economic and community fabric of our country.
We, as Chinese Canadians, need to celebrate these contributions. Be proud. Share your story. The strength of our vibrant and diverse country is built on stories like mine and yours.
We all need to stand together to support each other, and take action to fight racist behaviour and systemic racism against Asian Canadians, as well as Black Canadians, Indigenous peoples, and all racialized people.
This generation and the next is counting us – our voices and our actions. It is our responsibility to create a more inclusive country where our kids are not discriminated against by the colour of their skin.
Together, we can defeat this “Shadow Pandemic” and build a brighter future for all Canadians.
— Mary Ng