Advancing Justice – Los Angeles released a community survey on Wednesday that gives insight into the anti-Asian racism in California’s San Gabriel Valley.
About a third of Asian Americans in San Gabriel Valley said they or their family members have experienced anti-Asian hate during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Stop Hate Survey. Most of those who have experienced anti-Asian hate said the attacks also involved verbal abuse.
About 37% of survey applicants “noticed an increase in racial discrimination or harassment in their community since the COVID-19 outbreak,” according to the final report. Almost half “feel less safe in their community than before the COVID-19 outbreak.” About 55% “do not feel there is support in their community for victims of racial discrimination or harassment.” And almost 60% of survey respondents said they “changed how they feel and behave when they leave their home.”
About half of the parents who participated in the survey also said they are concerned about their children being the victims of racism at school.
San Gabriel Valley is home to more than half a million Asian Americans, according to the Los Angeles Times. The news outlet also reported that this is the first survey to focus on hate in San Gabriel Valley, and survey applicants were able to fill it out in English, Chinese or Vietnamese either online or by phone.
Advancing Justice – LA CEO Connie Chung Joe and Asian Youth Center Executive Director Michelle Freridge announced the survey results at a news conference on Wednesday. Chung Joe said the community is concerned about the hate that is “exploding” in San Gabriel Valley.
“A study like this gives us insight and details — allowing us to come together to figure out what to offer to people to keep them safer,” she said.
Featured images via CBS Los Angeles
