Zhao, K., O’Connor, C., and Fang,L. (2022). (3, anti-Asian racism, postcolonialism, Canadian multiculturalism)

1.Context of Anti-Asian racism amid the Pandemic 

Timeline: COVID-19 first detected in China (late 2019), declared a pandemic (March 2020 

-Anti-Asian racism intensifies alongside global health and system,if racism crises (George Floyd’s death and anti-Black racism awareness)

-Dual Pandemics:

-Health and systemic racism crises overlapped, highlighting inequality 

-Anti-Asian racism escalated, particularly after events like Atlanta shooting targeting Asian women 

-Methods of Racism: 

-Manifested through verbal/physical attacks, inappropriate jokes, and graffiti 

-Resulted in physical and mental health issues (fear, anxiety, depression) for Asian Canadians 

2. Historical Roots and Continuity 

-Colonial Legacy:

-Anti-Asian racism has roots in Canada's colonial past (e.g, Chinese head tax, Japanese internment) 

-”Yellow Peril” myth resurfaces in contemporary contexts 

-Multiculturalism: Canadian multiculturalism policy legitimizes the dominance of white English and French cultures; Immigrants must adopt dominant cultural norms, perpetuating inequality 

3. Postcolonial Framework 

-Definition: Postcolonialism examines ongoing colonial impacts on global and domestic cultural, economic, and political relations. 

-Canadian Context: Resistance to colonial legacies exists but is controlled by white settlers; Immigrants and Indigenous populations navigate an unequal society by white supremacy 

-Social Work Applications: Anti-oppressive approaches must incorporate postcolonial insights, particularly for immigration and settlement services 

4. Intergroup Prejudice 

-Framework (Abrams): 

Bases: Social values, categorization, and stereotyping (e.g., Asian individuals as "virus carriers").

• Manifestations: Includes infra-humanization and overt discrimination.

• Engagement: Can be reduced by fostering positive intergroup contact and minimizing psychological distance.

• COVID-19’s Role:

  • Accelerated anti-Asian racism by linking the virus to Asian culture, reviving “yellow peril” rhetoric.

  • Fueled economic and political tensions, particularly with China.

5. Social Work Implications

• Critical Perspective:

  • Understand how multiculturalism and postcolonialism perpetuate inequalities.

  • Reflect on professional practices to address systemic racism and support affected communities.

• Interventions:

  • Outreach to Asian communities during crises.

  • Foster therapeutic alliances with Asian clients to inform interventions and advocacy.

  • Collaborate with clients to integrate cultural sensitivity and lived experiences.

• Policy Development:

  • Use insights from client interactions to improve interventions and influence policymaking.

  • Expand efforts to support other marginalized groups (Black, Indigenous, people of color).

6. Future Directions

• Research Needs:

  • Further investigate depictions of Asian communities and their impacts.

  • Examine social workers’ roles in combating racism and fostering equity.

• Conceptual Model:

  • Address gaps in understanding how anti-Asian racism is perpetuated and escalated.

  • Expand frameworks to analyze broader systemic racism and guide social work practice.