GMA reports that Asian American doctors have created a video showing some of the racist Coronavirus remarks they have received.
16 doctors are featured in the viral video which shows each person holding up a sign revealing the remarks that were said to them as well as their responses.
Racist remarks include:
“Go back to China!”
“It’s a Chinese Virus”
“You’re a disgusting, filthy bat-eater!”
Responses from the health workers include:
“I actually enjoy pizza, hamburgers and avocado toast”
“But I’m on the frontlines risking my life to save yours”
“In times of crisis there is no place for hate.
Dr. Audrey Cruz of Loma Linda, California, and Dr. Christina Chen of Rochester, Minnesota, helped recruit the health workers featured in the video.
“The topic came up on the recent attack on the subway [and] people having their house vandalized in their community,” Cruz said.
“We were very moved by these reports and we wanted to use our voices.”
Chen added that the video is intended to discourage racism towards Asians.
“We’re hoping that this can spark fundamental changes that will occur behind the mentality of racial discrimination,” she said. “It’s really important that we listen to others, and learn from others.”
Since sharing the video to her Instagram followers, Cruz’s clip has garnered over 25,000 views.
“We wanted to get that idea out there that there’s so much hate, but were still fighting,” Cruz said. “Hate is [also] a virus and we don’t need another virus.”
Last month Asian Americans reported 1,500 crimes related to Coronavirus.
“As healthcare professionals and physicians we take an oath to do no harm,” Cruz added. “Our patients, we treat them for their medical conditions and we do what we can to save lives. As physicians, we don’t stop. [Regardless of] what your race is, we’ll treat you no matter what.”
Both Cruz and Chen believe that labelling Covid-19 the ‘Chinese Virus’ has worsened discrimination towards Asian Americans.
Although President Trump has since stated that the virus is “not the fault of Asian Americans”, he came under fire for repeatedly referring to the virus as “Chinese”.
“The problem with that is it creates a sense that China is the only place to blame,” said Chen. “Ultimately it creates a label. It creates a target to spark finger pointing and ultimately that turns into hate.”
In related news, the NYPD has issued its latest crime report, showing that crimes against Asian Americans were on the rise in April.
