Why is violence against Asian-Americans on the rise?

Asian-Americans are demanding action on what they are calling a “pandemic of racism”.

Six women of Asian descent were among eight people shot dead this week in a mass shooting at massage parlours near the city of Atlanta.

Police have not called it a hate crime, but many say it is hard to see it any other way.

Asian-Americans have reported increased attacks and harassment since the start of the pandemic last year.

Former President Donald Trump has been blamed for using racist slurs such as the “China virus”, but historians point to a long history of sentiment against Asians in US society and culture.

So can anything be done to stop the hate?

Presenter: Nick Clark

Guests:

Calvin Sun – emergency physician in New York City

Brian Levin – director, Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University

Chrissy Lau – historian and assistant professor, California State University