Anti-Asian Racism Is Surging in Canada. Here's How to Help Fight It

Here are some resources, tools, and networks you can use today to learn, heal, donate, and take action against racism in Canada's own backyard.

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Image via Getty/Wang Ying/Xinhua

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This is not “an American problem.” 

The ongoing acts of racist violence against the Asian population is very much an issue in Canada too. In 2020, the Vancouver Police Department’s year-end report noted a 717 percent increase in anti-Asian hate crimes while, at the same time, the majority of other crimes reported throughout the city saw a decrease due to the pandemic.

Meanwhile, according to live data from Fight COVID Racism, there have been 955 reported incidents of anti-Asian hate crimes across Canada as of March 19. Statistics Canada says racist attacks against visible minorities have increased threefold throughout the country since the pandemic started, with Korean (26 percent), Chinese (25 percent) and Filipino (22 percent) groups being most frequently targeted.

Canada is said to have a higher number of reported anti-Asian hate crime incidents per capita compared to the U.S. Furthermore, one in five attacks are assaults, and the majority of them against Asian women. This is according to ongoing data collected by Project 1907, a centralized racism reporting tool built by two Asian-Canadian Vancouverites and one of the nation’s active anti-racist organizations worth knowing.

These statistics are devastating. In British Columbia, government officials are looking to bring anti-racism legislation later this year, but for those experiencing racism today, that’s not enough.

Whether you’ve been a victim of anti-Asian racism in Canada, have witnessed it, or just want to educate yourself, here are some resources, tools and networks you can use today to learn, heal, donate, and take action against racism in our own backyards.

Elimin8hate

View this video on YouTube

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Elimin8hate has formed a centralized racism reporting centre online in partnership with Project 1907, the Chinese Canadian National Council for Social Justice, and the Vancouver Asian Film Festival. Users can log onto the website to report an incident and include data, like age, location, and sex. It’s been translated into several languages to support the Asian community as best possible.

elimin8hate.org

Project 1907

Act2endracsim

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Like Elimin8hate, Act2endracsim is an online racism-reporting tool that also allows users to report via SMS. The site uses the acquired data to provide statistics on racism and also offers educational webinars and programs.

act2endracism.ca

Fight COVID Racism

Operation BAYANIhan

Hollaback offers virtual training and seminars on harassment prevention. The company, which has chapters around the world, including one in Ottawa, also has a component that helps individuals to recover from trauma related to acts of hate and violence.

ottawa.ihollaback.org

Toronto’s Ryerson U has developed a free downloadable PDF for both witnesses and victims of a hate crime. The comprehensive package teaches people how to intervene safely and effectively, what steps to take when it comes to reporting as well as further wellness information.

ryerson.ca/responding-to-hate

Another female-founded organization, the Korean Canadian Women’s Association Family and Social Services has been aiding the Canadian Korean community from its Toronto headquarters since 1985. The non-profit facilitates support for newcomers with resources, educational tools, and a network of Korean families actively sharing their Canadian experiences, good and bad.

kcwa.net/en

Formed in 1947, the National Association of Japanese Canadians is focused on human rights and community development. From their Human Rights Guide: “Japanese Canadians must be vigilant with regard to human rights violations and should be the first to speak up when situations occur. Other minority groups should not have to experience similar violations of their rights.”

najc.ca

Since its inception in 1973, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. has helped over 72,000 individuals through its services. Its counselling and crisis support programs include helplines, which have Mandarin and Cantonese-speaking support workers, support groups, family counselling, and more.

successbc.ca/counselling-crisis-support

Chinese Canadian National Council for Social Justice and #FaceRace Campaign

The Colour Project 

For an immediate crisis response, including thoughts of suicide, the Crisis Services Canada Suicide Prevention line is open 24/7. Call 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645 if you or someone you know needs immediate help.

crisisservicescanada.ca/en/call-us

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