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Don’t Let Fear and Bias Overcome Reason – Pushing Back Against Misinformation and Bigotry Related to Coronavirus

  • March 2, 2020

The coronavirus presents a global health threat, and the devastation it is causing to lives and livelihoods has in turn sparked misinformation, scapegoating and conspiracy theories. Asian people have been targeted and isolated in communities, online and in schools.

Racist messages about Chinese people are spreading, not just on fringe platforms but also on mainstream social networks, during this health crisis. This online sentiment has then made its way into the physical world, with a rise in racist, anti-Chinese incidents.

Last Friday, Max Sevillia, ADL’s VP of government relations, joined the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to show solidarity and support for individuals confronting racism and xenophobia related to the coronavirus health crisis.

As was emphasized at that event, it is important to understand the facts and to push back against the inaccuracies and the bias being spread online and offline.

Here’s how ADL is taking action and our advice on how you can respond.

How ADL is Taking Action
ADL is actively taking steps to support the Asian American community in several ways, including:

  • Providing support to the leaders of Asian American national organizations; this includes training local chapters about reporting and confronting hate speech and hate crimes;
  • Signing on to a letter, alongside other Jewish community organizations, that went to Chinese American organizations and leaders, pledging to help ensure that Chinese people feel safe and supported, and to combat attacks and stereotyping on social media;
  • Engaging the Leadership Conference on Human and Civil Rights to urge the Surgeon General to use his bully pulpit to correct misinformation and confront hatemongering; and
  • Reaching out to the Asian Pacific American Congressional Caucus to explore legislative approaches to combating racism

What Can You Do to Help?
In a climate of panic and fear, it is important to share accurate information with our peers, and to make sure that your networks, especially young people, are well-informed and supported. This can help reduce stereotyping and scapegoating.  You can help ensure that discussions of the coronavirus crisis don’t resort to stereotypes and xenophobia in the classroom or anywhere else in your community.  Being an ally is critical, and we hope our resources will help you stand up, correct misinformation, and combat bigotry.

Our Coronavirus education guide, which will help you to:

  • Listen to fears and questions.
  • Provide factual information.
  • Teach about stereotypes and scapegoating.
  • Support targeted students.
  • Promote a respectful and inclusive school and classroom climate

We all have a role to play in pushing back against misinformation and bigotry.  We cannot let fear and bias overcome reason and what is right.