Overview

Despite the rise in rhetoric, there is a profound reason for optimism. The South Asian community in the U.S. has reached a critical mass representing a significant reservoir of power and influence.

In early 2020, before a single case of COVID-19 had been confirmed in Southern California, a 12-year-old boy was standing on his school playground during recess. A classmate approached him with an accusation: “You’re a coronavirus carrier, go back to China.” When the boy reflexively responded that he wasn’t Chinese, he was punched in the face and head 20 times.

This story, shared by Manjusha Kulkarni, is a stark reminder that racism is often “more virulent than the disease itself.” It illustrates how hate is not a spontaneous reaction to a crisis, but a pre-existing social contagion that weaponizes current anxieties to target the vulnerable. India Currents recently sat down with Kulkarni, Executive Director of AAPI Equity Alliance and co-founder of Stop AAPI Hate, for a Chai & Chat: Speaking up against Hate. 

She shared the following essential strategies to help the South Asian community move from fear to informed power.

Deciphering the “Trifecta of Hate” 

Community resilience begins with understanding that hate is rarely just an isolated spat between neighbors; it is a systemic phenomenon. South Asians are navigating a specific landscape where discrimination is often driven by economic anxieties. While East Asian communities are frequently scapegoated over “national security” concerns, the Indian diaspora is increasingly targeted by those projecting fears over job loss and economic instability.

  • Interpersonal Acts: These are direct encounters. While physical violence is statistically rarer, verbal harassment and “hate incidents” (acts that may not meet the legal threshold of a crime but cause deep harm) are widespread in retail, grocery stores, and public squares.
  • Racist Rhetoric: Language used by public figures legitimizes private bias. When political candidates label India as a “hellhole country,” it permits for individuals to weaponize that same rhetoric in everyday life.
  • Xenophobic Policies: These are systemic barriers that institutionalize exclusion. This includes the recent imposition of $100,000 fees on new H1B candidates and the detention or deportation of community members, including those with legal status or U.S. citizenship.

Combatting New Forms of Harassment: “Jeet,” “Pajeet,” and School Safety

Racial slurs are evolving, often weaponizing pop culture to inflict pain on the youth. Kulkarni noted that a character from the Disney show Phineas and Ferb has been distorted into slurs that are frequently used in competitive environments, such as sports, to marginalize high-achieving South Asian students.

To protect the children, Kulkarni asks parents to move beyond passive advice and explain that bullying is a result of external prejudice regarding skin color or immigrant status, not a reflection of their character.

Additionally, do not let schools off the hook. Kulkarni encourages demanding formal apologies and pushing for school-wide education on Islamophobia and anti-Asian hate. When her own daughter faced discrimination, she advocated for a school assembly that addressed these specific forms of bias, turning a moment of pain into a teaching moment for the entire student body.

“Kids feel it and just by saying like ‘Oh just put your head down or or or ignore what they’re doing.’ No they are feeling harm, they’re feeling psychic pain so as parents it’s our obligation to… make them feel better and if we can and also to hold institutions accountable,” Kulkarni said during the chat.

Tactical Allyship: Safe Bystander Intervention

When you witness hate, prioritize the safety and dignity of the person being targeted rather than escalating a confrontation.

  1. Approach the person being targeted and ask, “How can I help?” or “What do you need?”
  2. If you cannot confront the harasser safely, address an authority figure. Speak to a cashier or manager and say, “Excuse me, this person was waiting in line,” or “That comment was inappropriate.” This often de-escalates the situation by shifting the focus back to social norms.
  3. Do not call 911 or file a report unless the survivor explicitly asks you to. They should remain in control of the response to the harm they experienced.

Reporting Systems and Community Resources

Data collection is a primary instrument of power. Reporting is a strategic imperative, helping community organizations and state agencies demand systemic change. 

Essential Reporting Resources:

Despite the rise in rhetoric, there is a profound reason for optimism. The South Asian community in the U.S. has reached a critical mass representing a significant reservoir of power and influence.

We are also seeing a historic shift in civic engagement. A decade ago, organizations might have endorsed 30 candidates; today, over 300 South Asian candidates are running for office. 

Furthermore, the launch of Stop AAPI Hate Action (C4) marks a new era of mobilization, allowing the community to move beyond reporting and into direct voter engagement. Ultimately, the safety of our community is tied to the health of our democracy. 

“We can’t stop hate until and unless we stop authoritarianism… participating in our democracy, ensuring free and fair elections helps us also to stop hate,” Kulkarni said.

Watch the full conversation:

Youtube video

India Currents hosts live the Chai & Chat show every month with experts on topics that matter, where the conversations are shaped by your questions. Find out more >>

This text was edited with the assistance of an AI tool and has been reviewed and edited for accuracy and clarity by India Currents.