Asian Americans continue to face widespread hate driven by anti-immigrant rhetoric and deepening systemic discrimination across the United States, according to a new report. The situation threatens to worsen as federal funding cuts loom, potentially undermining support for affected communities.
The second annual State of Anti-Asian American and Pacific Islander (AA/PI) Hate report, released Monday by Stop AAPI Hate, revealed that 53% of AA/PI adults experienced hate incidents in the past year, up from 49% the previous year. Young adults faced particularly high rates, with a staggering 74% of those aged 18 to 29 reporting hate acts.
The most common types of incidents were harassment and institutional discrimination, accounting for 48% and 24% of cases respectively. Personal accounts included in the report illustrate how anti-immigrant sentiment, fueled by political agendas, has become a driving factor of hate nationwide.
“I was told to ‘go back to where I came from’ and that I didn’t belong here,” one respondent shared. Such experiences reflect a broader trend of offenders questioning the identity and place of AA/PI individuals in the United States.
The report also highlighted the mental health impact of these incidents, with 70% of those who experienced hate reporting frequent stress, and 59% experiencing frequent anxiety. Furthermore, 83% of respondents expressed concern about the nation’s current racial climate.
Despite the prevalence of hate incidents, 40% of AA/PI adults who experienced hate did not share their experience with anyone, including friends or family. Additionally, 77% never reported incidents to formal authorities. Among those who needed support, 38% said they did not receive it, and 68% of those who did receive support felt it failed to meet their needs.
The release of the report coincides with concerns over potential federal funding cuts to public safety grants, which could affect hundreds of community organizations working to fight hate, prevent violence, and support victims. Among the affected programs is Stop AAPI Hate’s initiatives, which rely on government support to continue their work.
“Our new data makes clear that public institutions are failing to meet AA/PI communities’ needs,” said Manjusha Kulkarni, co-founder of Stop AAPI Hate, in a statement. “Rather than supporting the very organizations that provide vital resources to fight hate and safeguard our communities, we are seeing federal institutions pulling back and reducing critical funding that has already helped make a difference.”
Stop AAPI Hate emphasized the urgency of addressing racism and xenophobia, warning that reducing support for affected communities is dangerously counterproductive in the fight against hate and violence.
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Anti-Asian hate persists in U.S. as federal support funding slashed
cgtn.com
