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I just got my first COVID related death threat. To my face. For being Asian. In Ottawa. Outside the Rideau Centre. I guess it only took 8 months for that to happen.
Me and another woman put on our masks and walked up to the doors. A white man held it open for us, and I thanked him. As I passed, he told me how being forced to wear a mask (he wasn’t wearing one) makes him “want to kill Asians.”
I told him that was an unkind thing to say. He told me “yeah, but war is war,” then repeated his wish to kill Asians.
Hard to know how to take it. He was clear, but possibly wasn’t in his right mind. Nonetheless, disturbing and wrong.
Hard to know how to take it. He was clear, but possibly wasn’t in his right mind. Nonetheless, disturbing and wrong.
I’m okay but obviously shaken up. The guy didn’t follow me or threaten me beyond his words and demeanour.
I’m sharing this because I want there to be no mistake that hate is alive and well, and here. We all gotta do what we can to stand up against it.
I’m sharing this because I want there to be no mistake that hate is alive and well, and here. We all gotta do what we can to stand up against it.
Wow. I am floored at the response that this has gotten. I can& #39;t reply individually, but thank you to everyone who sent a message of support. I realize another reason I felt compelled to tweet because I felt powerless. Reading these words of kindness has made me feel not alone.
I will add that I have filed a report with Ottawa Police. Race and policing are complicated, but OPS has an active campaign addressing hate & a kind detective who took my call. Reporting this could help, for statistics, education and prevention. https://www.ottawapolice.ca/Modules/News/index.aspx?newsId=b8fcd3bd-9824-4b8a-8b37-343d8e281545&lang=en">https://www.ottawapolice.ca/Modules/N...
Me again. I& #39;ve had a lot on my mind the last 24h, and want to share a couple thoughts while we have each other& #39;s attention.
It& #39;s shocking this happens here, because we live in a society where people are generally kind to each other. But it& #39;s also not shocking:
It& #39;s shocking this happens here, because we live in a society where people are generally kind to each other. But it& #39;s also not shocking:
1 The rise in racist incidents since COVID is well documented. 2 Chinese-Cdns went through this during SARS and predicted its return. 3 And crucially, anti-Asian sentiment goes back centuries in Cdn history. Hate isn& #39;t new & it& #39;s not cuz of US politics (though that does NOT help)
I encourage us to learn about Canada& #39;s anti-Asian history and "yellow peril." In terms of racism, Canada& #39;s not exceptional. What IS exceptional is the love & care we choose to give each other NOW. Which I felt from each of you here. A good start, from May: https://thetyee.ca/Analysis/2020/05/07/Shadow-Pandemic-Anti-Asian-Racism/">https://thetyee.ca/Analysis/...
