AP-NORC poll: More Americans believe anti-Asian hate rising
Associated PressWASHINGTON — A majority of Americans across racial and ethnic groups believe discrimination has worsened in the last year against Asian Americans, who became the target of attacks after being unfairly blamed for the coronavirus pandemic. Nearly half of Americans believe Asian Americans encounter “a great deal” or “quite a lot” of discrimination in the U.S. today. I think they are puzzled by that situation.” Barbara Canchola, 76, of El Paso, Texas, said she would have answered “not at all” if she had been asked pre-pandemic if Asian Americans face racism. “However, ever since the pandemic began and it was labeled a ‘China thing,’ that’s where it all began.” She attributes her new outlook to all the television coverage “where the people are being assaulted on the street out of the blue.” Renee Tajima-Pena, an Asian American Studies professor at the University of California, Los Angeles and co-producer of the PBS docuseries “Asian Americans,” isn’t surprised some people have never thought of Asian Americans as victims. “That’s why people understand now the violence Asian Americans face,” Tajima-Pena said.