Racism Linked to COVID-19
April 22, 2020
The National Association of Japanese Canadians (NAJC) is hearing stories from across our communities of anti-Asian racism related to COVID-19. In response to this, the NAJC has released the statement below.
In addition, the NAJC’s Human Rights Committee is now collecting these stories, in order to assess needs, raise awareness, and respond. We encourage you to fill out an online form to report a story of anti-Asian racism related to COVID-19. Only share as much as you’re comfortable sharing. Responses to questions marked as “(OPTIONAL)” will only be used to follow up with you and to determine next steps.
For any questions or concerns, please contact Keiko Miki (Chair, Human Rights Committee) at vp@najc.ca.
NAJC Statement Regarding Racism linked to COVID-19
The COVID-19 crisis is almost unprecedented in its effects on people’s physical, mental, emotional and financial well-being, and stress is understandably running high for everyone. However, there is no excuse for those who would use the COVID-19 crisis to blame, revile, or enact violence against other people who are all experiencing the same losses, restrictions and worries.
The National Association of Japanese Canadians is alarmed by increasing reports of racist incidents related to perceived linkages between the COVID-19 pandemic and China. We call on all Canadians to stand against anti-Asian sentiment.
The National Association of Japanese Canadians (NAJC) was founded in 1947 and is a Canada-wide organization that represents Japanese Canadians and Japanese Canadian member organizations. The NAJC supports the development of our communities and a strong Japanese Canadian identity. We strive for equal rights and liberties for all persons, and in particular for racial and ethnic minorities.
We have seen rising xenophobia and anti-Asian sentiment during many crises in Canadian history, in particular during the Second World War, when some 22,000 Japanese Canadians were interned and dispossessed. Allowing hate to rise against any marginalized or vulnerable group diminishes our communities’ and our country’s ability to act in solidarity, as we must in order to overcome this world-wide pandemic.