Tabassum tells us about the rise of hate crime and xenophobia with the outbreak of the Coronavirus outbreak. An exclusive for Different Truths.

“Do not do to others what you don’t want done to you.”

~ An Ancient Chinese Saying

A 23-year-old Singaporean, Jonathon Mok was walking along Oxford Street in London in late February when a group of thugs attacked him, punching him in the face several times. “I don’t want Coronavirus in my country,” shouted his anonymous attackers. Since, the epidemic broke out, a wave of hate crimes against Asians has cascaded throughout Western countries. On February 8, an East Asian man was violently assaulted and robbed by two teenagers shouting, “Coronavirus” at him. This was thought to be the first violent hate crime linked to the virus reported to British authorities.

On March 4, a South Korean woman, who was in the Netherlands was biking home when two men with brown hair and beard drove past her on a scooter and yelled out, “Chinese.” The man sitting on the back of the bike reportedly tried to punch her.

On March 4, a South Korean woman, who was in the Netherlands was biking home when two men with brown hair and beard drove past her on a scooter and yelled out, “Chinese.” The man sitting on the back of the bike reportedly tried to punch her. Similar assaults, calls for sexual violence, insults and boycotts of Chinese owned businesses have been reported in Italy too. Innocent people, including immigrants, who for decades called the country home, have been subjected to hate crimes for ‘bringing the virus’ to the country.

In America, from New York to Indiana to California not just Chinese but people who looked Asian have been threatened, refused service or physically attacked since the beginning of the month of March. On March 23 it was reported that attacks against Asian-Americans reported in Bay Area and beyond in the United States of America.

President Donald Trump continued to define the COVID–19/Coronavirus as “Chinese Virus”. On March 17, President Trump was heard calling it “Chinese Virus”. The USA Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was seen referring COVID-19/Corona virus as “Wuhan Virus”, on March 18.

Although political leaders around the world have publicly condemned anti-Chinese racism sparked by the outbreak. President Donald Trump continued to define the COVID-19/Coronavirus as “Chinese Virus”. On March 17, President Trump was heard calling it “Chinese Virus”. The USA Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was seen referring COVID-19/Corona virus as “Wuhan Virus”, on March 18. Washington had also accused Beijing of a cover-up when COVID-19 first emerged in China.

A photo in this article shows how President Trump continued to treat this virus as “Chinese Virus”. It should be noted that under the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines, diseases names should not refer to areas and groups.

Because some people have decided to fan the flames of racism, misinformation and hate. The Fox News host Jesse Waters who went on a rant demanding an apology from China. He said that “the Chinese people are hungry; they eat raw bats.” And so many despicable things against Chinese people.

Such crimes could still be on the rise as the virus continued to spread. Because some people have decided to fan the flames of racism, misinformation and hate. The Fox News host Jesse Waters who went on a rant demanding an apology from China. He said that “the Chinese people are hungry; they eat raw bats.” And so many despicable things against Chinese people. His colleagues listened and some of them laughed. This is a pure sign of racism. People tried to defend the channel by calling it” fringe” and calling the anchor “mentally unhinged.” Was it enough? Enough action to the channel or to the host who spared such vicious, vile racism?

Wion Tv Channel is at war to declare COVID19/Corona Virus as “Chinese Virus”. They do mention at the beginning that it is not racism. But the way they are spreading their propaganda to call it as a Chinese Virus and conspiracy is really concerning.

Media people believe that the media platform is sensational and clichés and want advertisements and money. “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Is it right to the reality that words don’t hurt us? If the media is all about money, at the cost of what?

This topic has become increasingly outrageous. And, the thing is people do watch Fox Channel and channels like Wion Tv. People do listen to this anchor Jesse Waters no matter how deranged he may be.

People are influenced, and words do matter. They can trigger fear, which leads to anger, which in turn leads to violence.

People are influenced, and words do matter. They can trigger fear, which leads to anger, which in turn leads to violence. The Ripple Effect.

I empathise with “The Golden Rule” in the West. It’s something Jesus taught 2000 years ago; most people would call it a simple common sense. Matthew 7:12: “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”

 A disease can break out in any part of the world because of all kinds of reasons. Does the virus ask their cities, villages or countries to apologise because viruses don’t care about borders, colours, ethnicities, races or religions? It is counterproductive. As tempting as it is to ignore such dangerous talks, it must be pointed out that Chinese people have been hurt twice. First by a virus, then by such rhetoric. It is time to cut the nonsense and focus on the real issue of how to save lives. Those who abused their powers to advocate harmful ideas are the ones who should really apologise wholeheartedly and stop this unacceptable racism, xenophobia and hate speech and crimes.

Stay home, stay safe.

Photo and video clip sourced by the author