The U.S.’s history of anti-Asian racism, stereotypes of Asians as the model minority, and the reticence of many Asians who value group harmony create obstacles to addressing their experiences of racism and hate crimes. This study examines Japanese immigrant parents’ responses to anti-Asian racism before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this session, attendees should be able to:
Understand how culturally-based beliefs and interpersonal norms affect Japanese parents’ strategies for protecting themselves and their children from anti-Asian racism, such as isolating themselves from local community members, avoiding activities in local communities, and their reluctance to seek support for handling anti-Asian racism, influenced by Confucianism.
Discuss some impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly the increase in the number of anti-Asian hatred during the pandemic, on Japanese immigrant parents’ understanding, such as their increased sensitivity to racism and interest in advocating for themselves.
Suggest strategies for social workers to support Asian immigrants navigating anti-Asian racism, e.g., gaining their trust, avoiding misunderstandings, and reducing incidents of microaggression by learning about their cultures, including communication and behavioral patterns.
