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Congressional leaders, such as Rep. Pramila Jayapal, have also called attention to the xenophobic rhetoric fueling these attacks
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Jayapal underscored that the hate does not emerge in isolation but is a direct result of harmful language used by influential figures.
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“The increasing hate is a backlash to the achievements of individuals in our community, and we must demand better as a nation,” she asserted.
Incidents of racism targeting South Asians have sharply increased over the past year, even as notable figures like Vice President Kamala Harris and Usha Vance, wife of Republican Senator JD Vance, bring greater visibility to the community, reported thehill.com.
A recent report from Stop AAPI Hate revealed a disturbing rise in anti-South Asian slurs and threats, with cases more than doubling from 23,000 to 46,000 between January 2023 and August 2024.
Manjusha Kulkarni, co-founder of Stop AAPI Hate and executive director of AAPI Equity Alliance, expressed deep concern over the escalating hate. “We are alarmed by the wave of hostility targeting South Asian communities, both online and offline,” she stated. With South Asians representing the fastest-growing segment of the Asian American and Pacific Islander population, the community’s visibility during the upcoming election makes it crucial to address this issue.
Despite the increasing attacks, many South Asians are channeling their frustrations into political activism. Chintan Patel, executive director of the South Asian Impact Foundation, emphasized the resilience of the community
The report highlighted that this surge in hostility coincides with the increased national attention on Usha Vance, daughter of Indian immigrants, and Vice President Harris, whose mother also hailed from India. August 2024 saw a peak in online threats of violence, with 973 incidents recorded that month alone—75% of which were directed at South Asians.
In comparison to other groups, threats against Asian communities have escalated at a faster rate, with a 52% rise in online violence compared to 45% for Jewish communities and 14% for Black communities. These threats often contain xenophobic language, such as “Go back to where you came from” or accusations that South Asians are “taking over.”
Earlier in 2023, a survey conducted by Stop AAPI Hate found that 43% of South Asians reported experiencing hate incidents based on their race, ethnicity, or nationality.
“As one of the fastest-growing voting blocs, South Asians are showing up in powerful numbers at the polls. The rise in hate has only strengthened our resolve to vote for leaders who advocate for an inclusive democracy,” said Patel.
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