Concerns over attacks against Asian diasporas since the onslaught of COVID-19 have coalesced into a global anti-hate campaign, following deadly shootings at three Asian-run massage parlours in Georgia, Atlanta in March. Writing in Hong Kong Free Press, Hong Kong Economic Journal, InMedia, Sing Tao Daily, Stand News and Think HK recently, EOC Chairperson, Mr Ricky CHU Man-kin acknowledged that while Hong Kong has not seen violence of the same severity, it is not immune from scapegoating and misinformation, which often underlie micro-aggressions and discriminatory practices against non-Chinese communities who also call the city home.

“People like to have someone to blame when things go wrong, and minorities become easy targets”, wrote Mr Chu. There is, therefore, an important distinction to be made between having free, informed debates about the new normal and projecting frustrations onto already-disadvantaged communities. The former facilitates policymaking and advances the greater good; the latter obfuscates the real issues and forecloses any chance of change.

Mr Chu then gave examples of racism in the city, from micro-aggressions like passengers leaving their seats when someone of South Asian descent sit down next to them, to blatantly discriminatory acts such as landlords refusing to rent premises to people of a certain race or ethnicity.

He added, “Racism is a tough subject to talk about, but unless we have these conversations, we have little chance of moving forward. We must rediscover our ability and wisdom to accept and celebrate differences, not only because some day we could be the minority in another place, but also because human beings shine the brightest when they stand united.”

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