Shisung Choi Joan Dantoni English 101 Monday 10 o’clock 5 April 2021 The Asian Community has Another Virus to Fight With our previous president aiming the blame of COVID-19 on the wrong people, this created an opening for a deadly possibility to occur: A second virus of hatred and misinformation for the Asian-American community to spread. On March 16, 2021, a series of shootings occurred in multiple spas in Atlanta, Georgia. The police have arrested a man that is highly likely to be the killer as his car has been seen on the site. Somehow, this man, Robert Aaron Long, has not been charged for a hate crime yet. His defense for his actions relied on his religious beliefs of not falling for his sexual addiction. I believe that this is clearly a hate crime against the Asian-American community that must be put down. The first evidence that shows the clear colors of a hate crime is in the statistics. Out of more than 150,000 businesses in Atlanta, Mr. Long, has clearly shot three Asian businesses. Also, the fact that he waited an 1 hour in front of the Asian business before committing the crime clearly shows this was a deliberate plan instead of a blind rage against the Asian businesses. This evidence should and must erase the possibility presented by the Cherokee County Sheriff, Jay Baker, that the shooter was just having a bad day. One bad day does not and should not aim to kill specifically Asian-American communities during this time when they are already enduring physical and verbal assault for a virus they are not responsible for. Next, the majority of people killed speaks for itself. Six out of the eight people that were shot dead were confirmed to be of Asian descent which gives a physical picture of his desired motive of killing Asians. Finally, to put the icing on top of the cake, a further implication gives evidence to Mr. Long’s baseless hatred for Asians during this virus. The police were able to capture the murderer on the road as he was riding down south of Atlanta. The south of Atlanta lies the state of Florida. With the noticeable 2.95 percent of Florida’s population being Asian, there is an unmistakable implication that the shooter was driving down to Florida to continue his murder spree. With this clear evidence and implications brought to the table, I believe that if America’s justice system still refuses to name his intention under Asian hate crime, that is the real Asian-hate crime to consider. If I had to pick a symbol to represent America as a whole, I would choose the statue of liberty as she stands for the idea of freedom for all. She champions 2 this idea as she holds her tablet inscribed with the words of freedom, the freedom for anyone to strive for the American Dream. However, as I see the mistreatment of my fellow Asian-Americans whether that be through verbal or physical abuse, I see no chance given to them to strive for something better because they are too preoccupied, to scared of the possible abuse around every corner. During these rough times of COVID-19, the Asian-American community is fighting off and or enduring another virus built of hatred and ridicule from other Americans. Is this the price that Asians must pay to have a glimpse of that freedom America is so proud of holding? This mistreatment of Asians is now heightened to an all-time high because of a president that directed his finger to the Asian communities as the cause of the COVID-19. As the Asian minority in the United States face racism in another form or another, I cannot stand idly by as I see an America that isn't free at all. My community is continually getting mistreated from just a few words from a president who knew no better! I ask you to stand with me to bring America back to its foundation and its purpose: A land where one is free to run towards their dreams no matter their background or religious affiliation. A place where anyone can walk down the streets feeling safe and secure not needing to worry about their own safety in the neighborhood they call their new home. Let us remind America of its own 3 foundation it was so proud of standing on! Unlike the virus that affects the body, a virus of hatred may leave a permanent scar for many future generations to come. The vaccine for this hatred starts with a single person willing to stand against the tide of undeserved hatred. Everyone came to America with a purpose they wanted to fulfill in their lives. I believe America is a land where we should be free to do so without being murdered for being in a specific race or kind. Will you be the vaccine for the hatred virus that are affecting countless Asian minorities in America? 4