Today, in the heart of Toronto, Canada, I experienced Anti-Asian racism. 1/

At 6:45PM, after finishing buying groceries with a friend at CityMarket in Manulife Centre (below), we were walking up the stairs to the exit. While we were coming up the stairs, a lady - white, blonde, ponytail, wearing a vest - was walking down. 2/

As we passed each other, a rail in between us, she muttered, "Fucking Asians" under her breath and kept descending. Like I wouldn't hear. /3

I didn't bump into her, I didn't even make eye contact. I stopped after I heard this. I said, "What was that? What did you say?" She kept walking until she was at the bottom of the stairs, then threw up middle fingers and said "Fuck you" before continuing on. /4

I'm not telling this story to point fingers at any person or any group, but to say that today I experienced Anti-Asian racism in Toronto - and if can happen in the heart of Canada's most diverse city you can bet it's brewing in the rest of the country. /5

Anti-Asian racism exists, full stop. It is real. I felt shitty afterwards but also grateful it didn't escalate further. I was also glad it didn't happen to a vulnerable community member instead. /6

Folks, PLEASE do your part in calling out and shutting down Anti-Asian racism. Whenever you see it, do something. Whenever you experience it, say something. Racism lives in Canada. We have to work together to stop it. /7

I was born in this country and I have experienced Anti-Asian racism since I was a kid. What's happening now is not new, but folks have been spurred on by racist rhetoric and conflated correlations with COVID-19. This has to stop. Protect Asian Women and Elderly. #StopAsianHate /8

If you live in Canada and you or someone you know has experienced an Anti-Asian hate crime, please consider reporting it here: https://www.elimin8hate.org/fileareport 

Thank you @proj1907 @VAFFvancouver @ccncsj @ccncto for this campaign, and @zengarden17 for sharing it. /9

Here's one other resource where you can report Anti-Asian hate crimes: https://www.covidracism.ca/ 

To my Asian family: don't hesitate any longer to speak out and take up space. Our voices are stronger together. /10