“We’re hoping this campaign sends a message of solidarity and compassion to the world"
Asian American are advocating #WashTheHate in an effort to combat Coronavirus racism.
The campaign began yesterday with a series of videos posted to social media from prominent Asian Americans. In each clip, participants are seen washing their hands in accordance with the CDC’s recommendations as well as sharing how the pandemic has affected them.
Mulan and Rush Hour star Tzi Ma, Wu Assassins actress Celia Au and Supernatural’s Osric Chau are just a few of those backing the campaign.
#WashTheHate encourages the public to share their own experiences too. For more information, visit www.washthehate.com.
“We’re hoping this campaign sends a message of solidarity and compassion to the world,” said Tzi Ma. “Hatred and division aren’t going to prevent this virus from spreading and will only make an already-difficult situation even worse. We’re calling for everyone — regardless of their race or country of origin — to recognize that we’re all in this fight together.”
“There are serious concerns in the Asian American community about scapegoating and becoming the targets of misplaced fear and anger,” said Celia Au. “The mission of this campaign is to get our stories out there and build a constructive dialogue with the public. We can’t be silent.”
A partial list of those already participating in the campaign with links to their videos is as follows:
- Actress Celia Au (Wu Assassins), who shared the now-viral video of an Asian man being sprayed with a cleaning bottle on the NYC subway.
- YouTube personality Marlin Chan (Marlin the MarMAR)
- Boba Guys co-founder Andrew Chau, who recently addressed Congress on the impact of the coronavirus on small businesses
- Actor Osric Chau (Supernatural)
- Tik Tok influencers Chris Kerr and Sharla May (OurFire)
- Lifestyle Influencer Skyler Lee (Foodieonfleek)
- Opening Ceremony founders Carol Lim and Humberto Leon
- Actor Ludi Lin (Power Rangers, Aquaman)
- Actor Tzi Ma (Mulan, Rush Hour)
- Performance artist and LGBTQ activist Alok V Menon
- Musician AJ Rafael
- Artist and music producer Shawn Wasabi
Asian American organizations that are also backing the campaign include:
- Asian American Advertising Federation (3AF)
- Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC
- Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Asian Law Caucus
- Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Atlanta, Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Chicago,
- Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Los Angeles
- Asian Chamber of Texas (ACT), Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE)
- Chinatown Partnership
- Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment (CAPE)
- East West Players, Japanese American Citizens League (JACL)
- Kollaboration
- Koreatown Youth + Community Center (KYCC)
- OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates
- Pacific Arts Movement
- Search To Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) and Visual Communications
In related news, former Hawaii Five-0 star Daniel Dae Kim has tested positive for Coronavirus.