Racism and discrimination: This is how western media portrays asians.

"Do you have coronavirus?" said a 20-year old boy who approached me out of the blue, grinning from ear to ear. I was spending my weekend in one of the biggest festivals in Australia earlier this year. His group of friends were laughing gleefully behind him. This happened at that time when Wuhan was locked down, and there weren't many cases in Australia just yet. I was fuming inside, bewildered that I'm on the receiving end of racism.

Should I ignore him and walk away? I couldn't bear not to stand up for anything like that.

"I'm not from China, can't you tell the difference?" I responded curtly. At that point in time, China was pretty much the only place which was hit hard by the virus.

"Oh," he responded, looking taken aback.

"Are you still a teenager? You're very rude. I won't go up and ask you if you had AIDS right."

"Do I look like one...?" he responded, looking a little sad. "You have to be at least 18 years old to enter this place. Sorry... am I still very childish? Do you think I'm still a teenager?"

I was surprised by his reaction. He seemed somewhat innocent, like he didn't really think that what he did was wrong. It made me want to investigate the reasons behind racism and discrimination: why is there racism? Then I started noticing a lot of factors that fuels racism.

How important is this issue of racism?

I live in a very much sheltered country called Singapore. Racial harmony is a key theme in our country and we articulate that in our pledge, but discrimination still exists at some level. 

Besides the Maria Hertogh riots back in 1950s, the level of discrimination have not resulted in any stabbing or punching incidents. Sometimes, you come across shouting matches (see this video: "Is it because I'm Chinese?"). 

It's still not as scary as what racism looks like in other countries:

Stabbing of an Asian-American family (including a 2-year-old and 6-year-old kid).

 Source: Foxnews

Getting beaten up in Australia because he was speaking in another language

 Source: Mark Holgate

Singaporean student getting beaten up in London, just because he's asian.

 Source: Jonathan Mok

Two asian women getting spat on and abused in New South Wales, Australia. 

Source: news.com.au

Racist mother hurling abuse against two asian-looking guys who were wearing masks in Australia public transport

Source: Dailymail 

Why are asians the target of racism and discrimination?

Our opinions are a result of our upbringing and the society we live in. When it comes to writing for the news, I always thought journalists had to ensure that they present only facts and not opinions. I was really surprised that this is so different in the western (european, american, australian etc) world.

1. Western journalism do not provide a fair and balanced viewpoint.

I wrote to some news agencies pointing out that their articles DO NOT provide a fair and balanced viewpoint. Remember the panic buy crisis? Check out how Herald Sun chose to publish two images of asians stockpiling on toilet paper. Asians are not the only ones stockpiling, but several news agencies decide to prominently feature asians. Yes, only asians.

Take this photographer, Ian Currie, for example. When I scrolled through his portfolio, one thing is really evident: he has little, or almost no contact with asians throughout his life.

After writing to them, there's a new photo coming from Ian currie. This time, not any asian-looking individual.

Why don't the editor mosaic their faces? It's no wonder racism is still so prevalent in developed countries when the journalists do not practise ANY responsible journalism! This will surely stir up some feelings of animosity against any 'asian-looking individual'. It's a direct way to blame asians for the empty shelves!

2. Western journalism censors non-asians, even if they are the perpetrator of a crime.

This was really obvious to me: if you're an asian, your face won't get blurred. This is regardless of whether you're the victim or the perpetrator. Why does it feel like asians deserved to be shamed, but you can respect the privacy of non-asians? 

3. When it comes to articles related to citizenship, asians will never be featured.

When it comes to the government's call for Australians or Americans to come home, none of the pictures will ever show an asian. Try searching for it! Stories about homeschooling or anything related to western citizenship will never show an asian. I can never get why words like "asian-american" or "american-born-chinese" exist. 

I'd like to call on the western world to practise fair and ethical journalism. 

If you're a journalist, please memorise the 10 principles of ethical journalism and know that you have the power to make this world a better place. Your words and your photos have the power to murder an entire population - we've seen how genocides happened in the past because of the pen and paper.

There are some people who asked me not to blame the media for racism...

I've spent 7 years of my life on a diploma and degree in media and mass communication. One of my favourite professors, Cherian George, has taught us not to take everything at face value. 

Isn’t it’s important to raise one’s eyebrow behind the motives behind the journalist or the papers and point it out? 

Don’t think it’s as simple as the editor simply approving an article, every article goes through at least two round of approvals. They will surely think “Okay, let’s censor her face, but not this asian guy”. It’s an intentional act.

Many people read trashy tabloids out there and they just have a string of impressions perpetuated by the media causing an outward behaviour of discrimination or racism, such as this one pointed out by the newspaper, and also subconsciously supported by the newspaper. 

A racist's behaviour cannot be attributed to one's race, but it is a result from the education, the upbringing, the friendships they forged, the neighbourhood they lived in and the papers they read. It is not race-based.

There are people who genuinely believe they are superior than the other race.

My question is, "If this was the other way round (asian-looking person hurling abuse on a white person), will they censor the white person’s face?"

From all the articles I’ve read, I doubt that is so!

Acts 10:34-35

34 Peter said, “I really am learning that God doesn’t show partiality to one group of people over another. 35 Rather, in every nation, whoever worships him and does what is right is acceptable to him.

Thank you for reading, I look forward to hearing your thoughts and I love any open discussion :)