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Examining the Influence of English-Speaking Country Residence on Racial Prejudice

Towards Asians: A Cross-Cultural Analysis

Abby Gayle D. Javier, Aubrey H. Miranda, Danica R. Montes, Roxette Jasmine G.

Galleta, and Shanil Aira B. Ronquillo

College of Business and Accountancy, Our Lady of Fatima University - Laguna

PURC 111: Purposive Communication

Professor Nadeth Rae R. Cosico

May 20, 2024

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Introduction

Racial prejudice against Asians has been an ongoing and complex issue globally,

with its forms changing based on cultural norms. In English-speaking nations where

diverse groups live and connect, identifying the causes of racial prejudice against Asians is

extremely important for encouraging social unity and fairness. Racial prejudice has been a

persistent social challenge. Racial prejudice, defined as negative views or beliefs about

individuals or groups based on their race or ethnicity, has been a consistent social challenge

throughout history. Asians, including many different ethnicities, cultures, and

backgrounds, have often faced stereotypes, discrimination, and exclusion in various

communities (Kurishage, 2016). Unfortunately, racial prejudice targeting Asians is

pervasive in English-speaking nations, where topics of immigration, cultural variety, and

social inclusion regularly intersect (U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, 2023). Focusing on

English-speaking nations is meaningful due to their worldwide impact, cultural variety,

and predominant English. Countries using English are known for multicultural

communities and have drawn migrants from various cultural backgrounds, like Asians.

However, despite the multicultural character of these countries, racial bias towards Asians

continues.

This study aims to provide insights into racial prejudice towards Asians across

multiple English-speaking countries. By analyzing and comparing data from different

cultural contexts, the researchers seek to understand intergroup relations' shared and

unique aspects. Specifically, the researchers want to examine how and why attitudes may

manifest similarly or differently. The findings could help combat discrimination and
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advance harmony in multicultural communities. Overall, this research aspires to offer a

thoughtful perspective on the dynamics between groups in diverse societies.

Review of Related Literature

Racial discrimination includes the act of verbal insults, shunning, coercing, and physical

harm towards racial and ethnic minority groups. In this study, the researchers aim to provide

relevant review literature regarding Asian prejudice, particularly towards Asians living in

English-speaking countries, and the negative repercussions of racial discrimination.

Existence of Historical Asian Discrimination: the 1920 to 1940s Period in California

Researchers conducted historical research from the 1920-1940 time period in California

to identify the connection between Asian Americans’ racial categories and their respective Asian

surname lists including Chinese, Korean, Indian, Japanese, and Filipino to racism. Among the

five Asian categories’ data, researchers, Gao et al. (2023) observed that the Chinese surname list

obtained the highest sensitivity level to experiencing racial discrimination over three decades,

followed by Indian, Japanese, and Korean surname lists. The Filipino surname listed to

experience sensitivity was the lowest.

This research proves the hypothesis of another study by Benson et al. (2019) which stated

that discrimination against Asian Americans remains prevalent throughout the years even going

as far as having hate crimes against them resulting in a higher risk of harm.

Increasing Asian Racism towards Asian Americans during the Coronavirus Outbreak

Aggression towards Asian Americans has grown particularly high during the spread of

the pandemic virus relatively known as ‘COVID-19.’ The emergence of the COVID-19 virus

posed a significant threat to the lives of individuals Asian Americans residing in the United

States. The lack of proper knowledge and false perceptions increased their discrimination against
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Chinese Americans. According to the study titled, “The Mental Health of Asian American

Adolescents and Young Adults amid the Rise of Anti-Asian Racism,” by Chien, et al. (2022), it

stated that adolescents and young adults are especially vulnerable to racial discrimination during

the pandemic, hindering the betterment of their mental well-being.

Since the spread of the COVID-19 virus, numerous stereotypical rumors have arisen

about the association between Chinese people and the virus, which greatly heightened racial

discrimination and xenophobia against all Asians and Asian Americans in the United States of

America. However, up until today, racial claims which have been spread, are proven to be false.

In a nationwide survey conducted by the researchers, one out of five Asian Americans admitted

that they experienced anti-Asian hate at least once during the first two years since the outbreak.

Some Asian Americans reported that to evade racial acts against them, they covered their outside

appearances in hopes of not being identified as Asian. (Dzotsenidze et al., 2023)

Dissatisfaction of Asian-Americans in Medical Health Care

The perceived hate against Asian immigrants leads to negative effects on mental and

physical health. According to Benson et al. (2019), Asian Americans are significantly more

prone to avoiding medical care due to concerns about receiving racial bias compared to how

White individuals are treated. In relation to the aforementioned study, another set of researchers

carried out an Adult New Zealand Health Survey (NZHS) survey that involved 2010 respondents

to determine the relationship between reported cases of racial hate experience and usage of

healthcare services. The findings in this research show that racial discriminatory experiences

correlate with higher dissatisfaction in medical centers and negative experiences as a patient.

(Cormack et al., 2024)

Endurance to Stigma and Racism Following the Routine Changes of Asian Americans
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A cross-survey entitled, “Anti-Asian Racism Related Stigma, Racial Discrimination, and

Protective Factors Against Stigma: a Repeated Cross-Sectional Survey among University

Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic,” was administered by researchers among college

students with active email accounts studying at a large United States public university to find out

the relation of COVID-19 stigma to a diverse college student population. Questions included

were about stigma in COVID-19, resistance to stigma, Coronavirus information sources, lifestyle

behaviors, and sociodemographic information. Results say that Asian Americans and Pacific

Islanders experience all types of stigma mentioned in the online survey the most often in

comparison to other races and ethnic groups. (Boden-Albala et al., 2023)

Asian American women also experience racism but generally in a microaggressive way.

To prove this theory, researchers surveyed a total of 309 Asian American women ages 18 or

older, currently enrolled in an APA-accredited doctoral course in counseling psychology, to be

utilized as a sample in investigating the relationship between depressive symptoms and stress in

relation to the racial microaggressions experienced by Asian American women. The findings

have revealed that the higher level of agreement among participants about their personal

experiences of racial microaggression aimed at Asian women, the stress gained from it is

significantly linked with depressive symptoms. In addition, stress frequency experienced by

Gendered Racial Microaggression (GRM) had a notable influence on the acceptance of

internalized racism. (Keum & Wong, 2022)

The study entitled, “The Impact of Anti-Asian Racism on Routine Activities and Mental

Health among Korean American Older Adults and Their Caregivers,” surveyed 175 Korean

American senior citizens and their primary caregivers to prove if there were any changes in the

older adults' lives during the rise of anti-Asian racism in the pandemic. According to the data
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collected, 47% of the participants admitted having routine activities changes due to racism such

as avoiding walking by themselves, not taking public transportation, and not going to any public

places including churches and grocery stores. This proves that even older Asian Americans are

aware of the possible harm inflicted by racist people and proceed to take safety precautionary

measures. (Han et al., 2023)

Lack of Resources to Report Cases of Racism

Racial discrimination is experienced in work, education, public transport, and shops. The

majority of participants said that the incidences regarding their personal experience of receiving

Asian hate were related to COVID-19. Based on the survey data collected from the study

entitled, “Asian Australians’ Experiences of Racism during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Policy

Evidence Summary,” one in four of those who have experienced or witnessed racism agreed or

strongly agreed that barriers such as language or physical hindrances prevent them from

reporting racism. It is discussed that access to reports should be a priority, with resources

available on multiple platforms/technologies including telephone, online, and in-person

reporting, and with trained multilingual interpreters available. (Atie et al., 2022)

Teachers Teaching Young Learners to Stand Against Racism

The research entitled, “Promoting Proactive Bystander Responses to Racism and Racial

Discrimination in Primary Schools: a Mixed Methods Evaluation of the ‘Speak Out Against

Racism’ Program Pilot,” is conducted in some primary schools in two Australian states

particularly, New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria. Before conducting the surveys, researchers

elaborated on the ‘Speak Out Against Racism (SOAR)’ program which aimed to reach out to

primary schools about effective responses to racism as bystanders. A sample of 645 students

from 10-12 years old throughout all six schools completed pre- and post-intervention surveys.
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The study confirms that children are particularly vulnerable to the harm done by racism since

racial discrimination negatively affects mental health and behavioral outcomes in the adolescent

period. In the result of this study, data provided that teachers’ moral attitudes towards racism

improve young students’ commitment to stand against racism confidently and the proper

knowledge of proactive choices in racism as a bystander. (Alam et al., 2021)

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Conclusion

Examining how living in an English-speaking country influences racial prejudice towards

Asians, this research expresses the complex and subtle aspects of racial relations within varying
cultural settings. Through analyzing and comprehending some studies, the researchers were able
to get information that varies in relationships with Asians to understand the shared and unique
aspects of intergroup relations and explore how attitudes may manifest similarly or differently. It
is said that the lack of proper knowledge and false perceptions increased discrimination. Not
only that, some cases became severe because of the arrival of a pandemic which made the lives
of those Asians in English-speaking countries difficult. Residing in English-speaking countries
may offer opportunities to engage with various cultures, fostering welcoming and informed
mindsets. However, the study reveals that the persistence of stereotypes and biases points to the
need for continued efforts to combat discrimination. Based on the related studies, the researchers
concluded that by better understanding group dynamics, communities can strive for
inclusiveness, tolerance, and respect for everyone regardless of where they come from. Overall,
this study helps move us toward being more inclusive and understanding of one another. Further
exploration of these important topics can enhance our knowledge of racial biases and help
develop a society defined by harmony, fairness, and goodwill among all people.

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