Global spotlight prompts calls for action in Vancouver to address anti-Asian hate crimes

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — As politicians attempt to address a Bloomberg article that names Vancouver the “anti-Asian hate crime capital of North America,” one expert says dismantling systemic oppression, racism, and hate takes time and will require meaningful changes from all levels of government.

Trixie Ling, the founder of the non-profit refugee support group Flavours of Hope, was recently assaulted by a man who hurled racist and sexist comments at her before spitting on her face.

She says from her experience, changes the city might look into, like policing, cannot be the only response.

Related Article: Report names Vancouver ‘anti-Asian hate crime capital of North America’

On Wednesday, Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart told CityNews he’s “alarmed” by the increase in anti-Asian hate in the region.

“So, it’s important that we understand from the community what they would like us to do.”

He says the city has already taken some steps to address the increase in hate crimes targeting people of Asian descent.

Stewart brings up the example of the Vancouver Police Department, which formed a special task force to address concerns, adding ” there have been a number of concrete actions on the ground that they’ve taken.”

But while Stewart insists action is being taken, he did not have any new solutions to the offer.

Ling says to her, politicians’ urgent response to address discrimination is because “Vancouver in a very bad light.”

“We try to think we’re a very multicultural, welcoming, opening community. But the reality and especially these reports reveals that there is a lot of systemic oppression, racism, hate that is coming out … and that is keeping people accountable,” she says.

“I think the sense of urgency for politicians comes from now there’s an international eye on it. And there are people keeping them accountable, saying, ‘what are you going to do next?'”

She adds the reality of the stats reported by Bloomberg only report a fraction of how much the Asian population in the city is being impacted.

“That number is much, much higher because these are only people who have reported to the police, reported to statistics. So what that means is that there are many others who have not reported, whether it’s out of fear, language, and cultural barriers. There’s also the fear of the police because it’s not maybe people who will go to for safety and accountability,” she explains.

‘It’s not just because of COVID.’

She adds COVID-19 is not the only contributor to these attacks.

“It has always been there. And now I feel like that article should alarm and shock people in terms of not just a number … but the stories behind the real people, including myself and many other people.”

Ling suggests for the mayor, the rest of the city, and province to address systemic issues, the solution needs to come from policy change.

“It comes from structural change. It comes from looking at systems of oppression, and white supremacy and colonization,” she says.

“Everything. Looking at housing, looking at employment, looking at health care, these are all system that has racism embedded in it. And so that is how we address it. And that is a long journey.

“It’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon.”

She adds the work has to be in solidarity, also with Black Indigenous communities.

“We cannot be free if none of us are free.”

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Ling says politicians also need to include the community when making changes; otherwise, changes won’t affect what’s happening on the ground.

“Amplify people … particularly Asian people in the community who are already doing this work, and put funding towards if you want to make a change.

Queenie Choo, the CEO of S.U.C.C.E.S.S., agrees, telling CityNews, “It is important that we take tangible actions, and working with the community groups to ensure this terrible title is being removed.”

Choo suggests changes need to be made in legislation.

“Because then it defines what do we regard as a hate crime, and especially anti-Asian hate crime or racism of any of its forms … also what is the process of prosecuting those hate crimes when it happened? We encourage people to report the incidents when they happened, but how are we going to equip people with the training or the skills to be an active bystander?” She says.

“We need the support. We need the training. And we need that policy by the policymakers.”

We also spoke w/Steven Ngo who says all he seems to see is a lot of talking, and much like @SUCCESSCanada he'd like to see affirmative action. Notes that the mayor has other issues to look after but he doesn't want to see people in his community get hurt.

— Ria Renouf ???? (@riarenouf) May 13, 2021

Steven Ngo, a man of Asian descent, recently tried to report a hate crime to police in Vancouver and said he faced several barriers, including limited availability of forms to report such cases.

Based on his experience, he says a solution that will help is a simple one — update the VPD websites.

“Include an option to either call into a dedicated phone line — not just a non-emergency line — a dedicated phone line to the Hate Crimes Unit,” he says, adding an online form in English and many other languages is also needed.

“Right now, if you go to the VPD website, there’s all this English. There’s only one small little font for you to see that this is a hate incident reporting form. It needs to be open to the entire public,” he explains.

Ngo says the VPD has updated its website recently, but there are still inherent barriers in place.

“They’re still asking people to call the non-emergency line for those who don’t speak English fluently. This is still an inherent barrier,” he says.

“We need to provide an option, either you phone a direct line to the hate crimes unit. So you’re not waiting in line for that long, or have an online reporting option in English and other languages.”

While the Bloomberg article naming Vancouver the anti-Asian hate crime capital of North America is “sad” to Ngo, he says it’s not surprising.

However, with the contributions of the community to address the issue, he says it’s an opportunity for Vancouver to step up and lead.

“We can make reporting hate crimes as accessible as possible, and set the example for the rest of the country and all across the U.S. This is the opportunity. Let’s make it as easy as possible.”

Ngo says he believes mayor Stewart is in a “tough position,” but action needs to be taken.

Stewart says the city will host an anti-Asian hate roundtable.

“We’re bringing in community members to talk to the police board, as well as the police about their experience with what is happening in their community, and what concrete actions they’d like us to take.”

But Ngo points out a majority of the presenters are of Chinese descent.

“This just perpetuates the stereotype that all Asians are Chinese, and ignores the thousands of other residents who are not Chinese and do not speak the language here.”

Ling is one of the presenters at a round table hosted by Stewart Thursday.