The non-profit organization Stop AAPI Hate is working to bring awareness to the rise in attacks against Asian and Pacific Islander Americans. The group just released data from thousands of incidents that were reported to the group throughout the United States last year. Now the group is calling on all Americans to join efforts to end discrimination against AAPI people, said Cynthia Choi, co-founder of the organization. 

With President Donald Trump publicly blaming China for the spread of COVID-19, The non-profit reporting center was founded in 2020 as reports of crimes against Asian people began to increase. According to the data, nearly 3,800 incidents were reported to the group between March 2020 and February 2021, and Choi alleged that even this number is a vast misrepresentation of the entire picture.

"We’ve pretty much said from the very beginning that we know that people are underreporting on our site, and there’s definitely been an historic underreporting to law enforcement and government agencies, which is one of the reasons we started this reporting center," she said.

Though it's still too early to compare the entirety of 2020's stats to just two months of data from this year, Choi said incidents aren’t getting less intense. They are simply being reported less frequently for a myriad of reasons. She also noted that the incidents aren’t just limited to Asians being subjected to verbal and physical assaults on the streets, but they're "pervasive and systemic" and not all "hate crimes." According to the report, more than 35 percent of reports of discrimination happened at the site of businesses. 

For Asian women, the issue has been even more prevalent as women, in general, tend to experience more harassment than men, and Choi said a short-term goal is to spread awareness about the Stop AAPI Hate reporting center so it has more data that would help establish plans to bring an end to these kinds of attacks.

"It’s very concerning that this is happening from across the country where we see reports from all 50 states including DC. We’re seeing, again, that these types of acts are really penetrating everywhere," she said.

Right now, the center accepts reports in 12 different languages.

The group also provides an outlet for people that do not identify as Asian to pitch in and use their reporting tool as well.

"We also have resources for people who are concerned about being directly targeted and also for those who witness individuals being targeted, not just Asians, but other groups that are being targeted because of what they look like, their gender — and how to do that safely," Choi said.

Share:
More In Culture
Bitcoin Slumps a Week After Reaching an All-Time High, Is China Crackdown Causing Worry?
Bitcoin hit a new high last week, rising above $68,000. But the coin has tumbled since, and it's not the only coin under pressure. Crypto is down today across the board. Bobby Zagotta, CEO of Bitstamp USA, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss the possible reasons why Bitcoin has slumped, how President Joe Biden's new crypto tax clause will impact investors, and more.
Sen. Schumer Presses President Biden to Tap Oil Reserves to Lower Gas Prices
President Biden is under some pressure from members of his own party over rising gas prices. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has called for the president to utilize oil reserves to lower gas prices ahead of the holiday season, as gas prices are currently at a seven-year high. Energy Workforce & Technology Council CEO Leslie Beyer joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
Green Bay Packers Selling 'Stock' for Sixth Time in Franchise History
The Green Bay Packers are selling shares of their stock for just the sixth time in its 102-year history. The Packers are the only major professional sports team in the U.S. that is publicly owned and not-for-profit. Now, it is offering 300,000 shares at $300 apiece; however, fans who become shareholders will not have much power, as the Packers' stock is not technically a stock. Washington Post sports reporter Des Bieler joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
Harry's To Provide Mental Health Support For Veterans And Afghan Refugees
The men's brand Harry's is teaming up with Stop Soldier Suicide and Headstrong to help provide mental health support with a $500,000 financial commitment. The withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan triggered a range of mental health responses from veterans and active service members, as well as displaced refugees who are now acclimating to a new way of life. Maggie Hureau, Harry's head of social impact, joined Cheddar News to talk about the partnership and why Harry's chose to get involved in mental health care.
President of Rosewood Hotels on Travel Comeback
As the U.S. opens its borders to vaccinated international travelers after months of restrictions, the hospitality industry is preparing for a comeback. Radha Arora, President and Co-Chief Development Officer, Rosewood Hotel Group joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to discuss his outlook for the broader travel industry.
Future of the Movie-Going Experience; Great Resignation and the Entertainment Industry
John Partilla, Screenvision Media CEO, discusses the biggest changes to the post-pandemic film industry and movie-going experience, what could bounce back, and changes are here to stay; Elaine Low, Senior Entertainment Business Reporter at Insider, breaks down how The Great Resignation is impacting the entertainment business, and what it means for competition among streaming platforms; Cheddar gets a look at Curiosity Stream's 'Before Hollywood.'
How 'The Great Resignation' is Heating Up Streaming Wars
Elaine Low, Senior Entertainment Business Reporter at Insider, joins Cheddar Reveals to break down how The Great Resignation is impacting the entertainment business, and what it means for competition among streaming platforms.
Future of the Movie-Going Experience
John Partilla, Screenvision Media CEO, joins Cheddar Reveals to discuss the biggest changes to the post-pandemic film industry and movie-going experience, what could bounce back, and changes are here to stay.
Load More