Healing through History

The Mental Health Impact of Anti-Asian Hate among Asian Graduate Students

Abstract

The hate towards Asians has been happening since the outbreak of Covid-19; however, it was not acknowledged until March of 2021 when the media began covering selected attacks. Despite the rise in public awareness regarding Asian hate, the seemingly lack of response from various institutions, particularly academic institutions, was disappointing. The way professors continued to teach and expected students, especially Asian students, to progress throughout their day as normal was heartbreaking. When the Black Lives Matter was at its peak, time was dedicated towards discussing the current events and checking on the well-being of the students. However, the same could not be said when the Stop Asian Hate movement garnered attention.  Any response that was produced radiated the aura of performative allyship - another equity inclusion task checked. The authenticity of including the pain Asians and Asian Americans were experiencing in the narrative, was absent. Although nothing could have prepared professionals and students of the Asian community for the terror that has been unraveling, there was an expectation to at least hold conversations to perhaps suggest how to support individuals hurting from the current events.