Hate in a Time of Crisis: Combatting Anti-Asian Racism During a Pandemic

The workplace climate is shifting. COVID-19, the newest form of the coronavirus is immediately impacting the American workplace in obvious ways. Major companies have taken a turn toward remote work, rapidly becoming more distributed as a necessary precaution. Much of the country is sheltering in place and across the world, schools, businesses and much of public life is shuttered in the face of a novel virus. As many adjust to the economic and social contraction that safety requires, there is also a dynamic to which we must remain attentive; racism. 

Twenty million people in the United States trace their roots to the Asian continent.  For the last few years, Asian Americans have been the most quickly growing racial group in the country. Yet, across America, reports of physical violence and discrimination against Asian Americans have erupted. A new Wikipedia page documents hundreds of COVID-19 related racist incidents against Asians across the world; reminding us of our historically tenuous inclusion as a part of the national fabric. 

For Asian Americans, there is nothing novel about the intersection of racism, national discourse and policy. In 1882, we became the very first national group to be barred from entering the United States. In 1917, the Asiatic Barred Zone Act passed with broad congressional support. It banned Asian entry from the United States on explicitly racist terms; one of its provisions included, “persons afflicted with contagious disease.” In 1942, we became the only group to have ever been incarcerated based exclusively on heritage; a decision the United States later admitted was “motivated largely by racial prejudice.” 

Fostering belonging that rises to these realities is vital to creating enduring and meaningful diversity in the workplace.

Asian Americans represent 47% of the Silicon Valley tech workforce. As we navigate a new level of explicit racial hostility, it is important that employers do what they can to ensure that the workplace remains free from these dynamics. Start by building equity, not equality. 

This moment exemplifies the need for experts. Diversity, equity and inclusion is a crowded field with many qualified practitioners. However, broad racial equity measures simply won’t cut it. Now is the time to listen to those who specialize in understanding the racist relationship between Asian Americans and disease; experts who can trace the current sentiment back to Chinese exclusion, compulsory vaccinations and the criminalization of Asian American women. Create space for learning and development on your teams, but make sure they are as specific as possible. This kind of tailoring is necessary for equity learning to be effective.

Moreover, as we continue to protect our teams from this unknown disease by social distancing and providing paid leave, it is equally important that we remember the values we bring to our work. Double down on commitments to racial equity by amending and publicizing your values statements in order to reflect the present conditions of the American workplace and the rising incidence of anti-Asian racism. Signaling our intolerance for racism and showcasing our culture as one that recognizing and appreciates difference is paramount. 

Take this moment to remind your teams and yourself that belonging is created in both big and small ways.

Encourage team members who want to report racism. Be proactive and intervene when you overhear a global illness referred to as Kung Flu. Open remote office hours to employees who may be struggling with the combination of isolation and racism. Consider this time an opportunity to build new skills around equity and allyship. Employers generally and leaders specifically have a key role to play in building a dynamic culture that can respond to this moment with equity and inclusion.

Hate is once again on the rise. A new report finds a 50% surge in anti-Asian COVID-19 related discrimination. As we all adjust to new ways of working and living, it is important that especially in the most tense of times, that we not lose what makes us human; our commitment to equity for each and every person in each and every place.