Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic to the Asian and Asian American Communities: Persistent History, Collective Resistance, and Intersectional Solidarity

Abstract

Th e impact of the COVID19 global pandemic to American communities extends beyond physical health problems to include political, economic, education, business, mental health, and social relation impacts. Th is essay, based on a summer and fall 2020 placebased research project collaboration between Purdue Honors College students and the Purdue Asian American and Asian Resource and Cultural Center , examines impacts of the COVID19 pandemic to the Asian and Asian American communities. Th e research asks what the impacts of COVID19 are to Asian/American communities, how COVID19 antiAsian racism is unique or not unique, how the Asian American communities have collectively responded to the racism connected to the pandemic, and how Asian American communities displayed solidarity with other communities during this diffi cult time in public health and racial justice. Th e essay connects extensive media and archival research to detail COVID19 impacts in the areas of health and wellness, job security, and social/racial justice. Th e essay then documents the persistent history of stereotyping and racism to Asian/American communities particularly in the midst of larger changes in political, national security, or public health situations. Th e next part of the essay provides an analysis of the rising number of reporting centers utilizing diff erent platforms to counter the experience of racism. Finally, with the tragic deaths of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and George Floyd that sparked forms of solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, the essay examines specifi c online and offl ine eff orts in regard to Asian and Asian American solidarity.