In a controversial op-ed published on Washington Post, former presidential candidate Andrew Yang provides his solution to combat the xenophobia and hate Asian Americans have been receiving in the wake of COVID-19. He advises that "Asian Americans need to embrace and show our American-ness in ways we never have before." Furthermore, he cites Japanese-Americans who fought at the highest ranks of WWII as examples of this strategy's efficacy. Taylor Weik, a Japanese-American LA-based writer has a different opinion. In this episode, Taylor shares more context on why Yang's call-to-action was dismissive to the history of Japanese-Americans and details the negative impacts of Yang's article on the Asian American community. Andrew Yang op-ed: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/04/01/andrew-yang-coronavirus-discrimination/. Taylor Weik op-ed: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/japanese-americans-speak-out-against-andrew-yang-s-call-asian-n1176126.

Hidden Narratives of the Coronavirus

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On Andrew Yang and how proving our "American-ness" won't end racism

APR 14, 202021 MIN
Hidden Narratives of the Coronavirus

On Andrew Yang and how proving our "American-ness" won't end racism

APR 14, 202021 MIN

Description

In a controversial op-ed published on Washington Post, former presidential candidate Andrew Yang provides his solution to combat the xenophobia and hate Asian Americans have been receiving in the wake of COVID-19. He advises that "Asian Americans need to embrace and show our American-ness in ways we never have before." Furthermore, he cites Japanese-Americans who fought at the highest ranks of WWII as examples of this strategy's efficacy. Taylor Weik, a Japanese-American LA-based writer has a different opinion. In this episode, Taylor shares more context on why Yang's call-to-action was dismissive to the history of Japanese-Americans and details the negative impacts of Yang's article on the Asian American community. Andrew Yang op-ed: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/04/01/andrew-yang-coronavirus-discrimination/. Taylor Weik op-ed: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/japanese-americans-speak-out-against-andrew-yang-s-call-asian-n1176126.