Sarah Curran
CTV ET
3/21/2021
© Photo by: Lloyd Bishop/Peacock/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images Amber Ruffin
Amber Ruffin is using her platform to highlight America's "long and well-documented" record of bigotry against Asian people.
During the latest episode of her late-night Peacock show, the comedian took a deep dive into the history of anti-Asian racism in the United States, including the recent spike in hate crimes.
RELATED: Olivia Munn Talks Stopping Asian Hate & Biden’s ‘Powerful’ Proclamation That U.S. Federal Buildings Fly Flags At Half-Mast To Mark Atlanta Massacre
"It's really impossible — Trump — to say — Trump — why something like that — Trump — would happen," Ruffin said. "But I do know that anti-Asian violence spiked after Trump and other Republicans started referring to the coronavirus as the 'China virus' and other racist terms."
She continued, "It doesn't surprise me that this kind of rhetoric would lead to an increase in violence. Partly because I have the common sense God gave a housefly, and partly because America has a long, violent history of scapegoating Asian people."
RELATED: Charles Melton Vows To ‘No Longer Remain Silent’ On Anti-Asian Hate Crimes
Ruffin went on to take a look back at America's lengthy record of anti-Asian racism, from the 1871 Chinese massacre in Los Angeles to the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which barred Chinese immigrants.
"America does not get to hide from its racist past or present," she added.
RELATED: Daniel Dae Kim Calls On Other Communities To Speak Up Against Asian Hate During Time 100 Interview
"What we're not gonna do is act like white supremacy isn't at the root of all this," she added. "Contrary to everything this country was built on, white men don't get to decide who lives and who dies. White people don't get to decide our humanity."
Ruffin's comments come in the wake of Tuesday’s horrific shooting in Atlanta, which left eight people dead, the majority of them women of Asian descent, after a shooter targeted three different spas in the area.
ET Canada stands with the Asian community in working together to stop anti-Asian racism in Canada, the United States, and around the world to #StopAsianHate.
Canadians can stay informed by following community groups and leaders, including but not limited to: https://nextshark.com/,
If you or someone you know is experiencing hate-crimes related to xenophobic attacks in Canada you can file a report at: https://www.elimin8hate.org/fileareport.
Bystander intervention training to anti-Asian and xenophobic harassment is available at: ihollaback.org/bystanderintervention/
No comments:
Post a Comment