Working in a restaurant in downtown Toronto, she says she was accustomed to one-on-one confrontations with some customers. But the aggression from a customer that day was different. “He said to me, ‘If you can not speak English – if you can not understand English – then why work in this industry?’ said Jaymaylin, who is now president of Anakbayan Toronto. a Philippine youth organization. Proponents of her case have been working to make the actual transcript of this statement available online. Proponents of her case have been working to make the actual transcript of this statement available online. They have been sounding the alarm since the attacks on Asians began after the discovery of the first known COVID-19 cases in China and when six Asian women were killed in a series of shootings in the Atlanta area last year. Nevertheless, a new report shows that the incidence of anti-Asian racism in Canada is increasing. Myka Jaymalin, president of Anakbayan Toronto, a Philippine youth organization, says she finally quit her job at a restaurant in Toronto after an argument with a customer. (Submitted by Myka Jaymalin)
The survey was released by the Chapter of the Chinese National Council of Toronto (CNCTO) and a grassroots organization called Project 1907, which reported 943 reports of racism across Canada last year, up 47 percent from 2020. Women continue to file the majority of complaints, but reports from children and teens have risen by 286 percent. Violent attacks were also a continuing trend, with 42 percent of Asians reporting coughing or spitting. The organizations warn that the actual number of all cases is much higher. The data, collected from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2021, and containing incidents reported by themselves and witnesses, comes as no surprise, says Kennes Lin, Asia’s anti-racism adviser to the CCNCTO. “The pandemic has been around for a long time. We are tired, we are frustrated,” Lin said. “But this does not allow for the increase of cases or the justification of the use of people who are East Asians, Southeast Asians, South Asians as scapegoats for what is happening.”

“A very sad reality” in Canada

The report shows that hate incidents reported by people in South Asia and Southeast Asia increased by 318 percent and 121 percent respectively. Samya Hasan, executive director of the Services Council of South Asia, says that because many women in these countries are also followers of Islam, xenophobia and Islamophobia play a role in the increased reports. Samya Hasan, executive director of the South Asia Service Council, says women in her community are even more targeted because they dress in a way that identifies their culture or religion. (Submitted by Samya Hasan)
He says that when the group organizes workshops or social campaigns against hate for members of their community, they are subject to ridicule and self-attack – something that is not always successfully pursued as hate crimes by the police. “I think it starts with the fact that during the pandemic, there are a lot of people on the internet and in unsafe places,” Hassan said. “These open spaces are no longer safe places for tribal women and are often seen as easy targets by people who spread hatred.” Hassan says that for women in South and Southeast Asia, the act of dressing in a way that identifies their culture or religion often makes them even more targeted. “This is a very sad reality in a country like Canada.”

None of the respondents wanted the offenders to be charged

According to the report, more than 80 percent of people who reported an incident are either seeking more public education, collective action or policy reform. The report found that none of the plaintiffs wanted their attackers, 75% of whom are white men, to face consequences for their actions or to apologize to them. Lynn says that because many tribal groups do not trust the police, this underscores why support should be directed at spreading awareness and strengthening community groups. “It really reflects the need for further efforts to provide a framework and visibility of anti-Asian racism to the general public,” Lin said. “It also means that there is a desire to respond in a long-term systemic way that prevents or mitigates damage in the future.” Among the findings of the report, he asks:

More long-term funding for Asian community organizations. Creating anti-racism programs with trauma information, culturally and linguistically accessible. More representation of Asian women in decision-making processes. The passage of Ontario Bill 86, which outlines specific measures to combat Islamophobia and hate crimes.

Lynn says that while anti-Asian hatred must be eradicated, so must all forms of oppression against minorities. “We understand that all racism and oppression are linked,” he said. “And we see that everything is connected to a colonial past that is constantly being perpetrated today.”