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It is no secret that vast and diverse groups of Asians have brought beautiful cultures, cuisine, and practices to the United States for centuries. Nonetheless, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders continue to endure the life of poverty, lack of representation, housing discrimination, and in recent years, the increase of hate crime attacks. There has always been a significant issue with hate crimes against Asians in America. However the height of the Coronavirus pandemic in recent years has led to the sharp rise in unjustified attacks against Asians, which is sparked by scapegoating and irrational blaming. Large cities such as New York and Los Angeles are increasing in hate crimes that include senseless beatings of elderly Asian folks as well as random attacks on Asian citizens. Nowadays when the population thinks of Asians, it’s not about the vivid culture, food, music, and practices we bring to the country anymore -- it’s about the virus that we supposedly are to blame for.

The important thing now more than ever is to shed light on the beauty of Asian cultures, the positive influences that have impacted the country as well as to help as many Asian communities around the nation as possible. There is much to be thankful for and to love when it comes to Asian culture, but people tend to forget to love the people as well. That is why organizations like the Asian American Federation which fights against Asian hate-crimes through policy advocacy, community organizing, and supporting/funding nonprofits. For Asian immigrants like my mother and I, we see America as a country of opportunities that we have come to love, but America needs to do their part in embracing our people.