“You don’t understand our culture, and you never will.”

I am Kayleen Yoo, an Asian American immigrant. Growing up, I often heard this statement from my peers. They judged my English skills and lack of knowledge about American traditions. I never had the chance to fight back against the harassment because my opinions didn’t matter to those around me. The prejudice didn’t just affect me—it also shaped my mother’s life. People outright victimized her by saying “go back to China,” showing how oblivious and disregarding American society can be. Unfortunately, my story is not unique; it is a reality faced by many Asian Americans.

The Asian and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community frequently experiences anti-Asian hate, but most victims do not report it. Stop AAPI Hate director of data and research, Stephanie Chan, explains that the frequency of hate crimes discourages Asian Americans from reporting incidents. Some may argue that existing laws are sufficient to protect against hate crimes, even if not all incidents are reported.

However, underreporting weakens the enforcement of these laws. Without reports, these crimes remain unseen and unaddressed, making it difficult to combat anti-Asian hate. Furthermore, underreporting can be fueled by distrust in government institutions and policies, especially when political leaders enact unfavorable policies toward immigrants and minority groups.

A report from the Center for the Study of Hate & Extremism shows a 145% increase in anti-Asian hate crimes in 2020 across 16 major states. The widespread crimes, according to the FBI, occurred during the Trump administration, demonstrating how political rules can influence hate crime rates. For instance, Trump ended the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) program and restricted immigrants from entering on visas or as refugees. Trump’s policy reveals that certain government policies can significantly impact Asian Americans’ sense of safety and willingness to report crimes.

Such policies create a perception of threat. Therefore, when the community feels unsupported by the government, they are more likely to become self-resilient and not trust the official reporting systems.

However, underreporting is not the only issue contributing to anti-Asian hate crime. Within the AAPI community, many do not recognize the struggles faced by underrepresented groups. Marginalized groups like Dalits, who belong to the lower levels of the caste system, face significant discrimination from other South Asians. Their struggles aren’t minor cases but rather brutal crimes such as verbal or physical assaults and slurs. They also receive biased recruitment and unfair treatment in jobs.

Anti-Asian hate crimes are more severe than the public realizes. To address it, we must confront both internal and external prejudice in the AAPI community. Asian Americans must fight political activities that harm the AAPI community and create a safer environment where people feel more comfortable reporting and sharing their experiences. In such an environment, Asian Americans can proudly eat their traditional foods in American schools without feeling self-conscious or different.

To achieve this society, we need to address internal issues, such as discrimination against Dalits and other marginalized groups, to build cooperation and trust. Anyone can help build unity by spreading awareness of anti-Asian hate crimes. Start by surveying Asian youths to determine their knowledge of biases toward minority groups. Specifically, ask questions like “Are you familiar with the caste system and its effects on South Asians?” and use the survey results to discuss with less-informed Asian Americans how we, as youths, should unify to combat anti-Asian hate crimes. The discussion will motivate people to take action and establish nonprofit organizations dedicated to addressing hate crimes, advocate for policies, and encourage more people to report incidents.

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