Online Hate Targeting South Asians Surges Post 2024 Elections
In the wake of the 2024 elections, there has been a disturbing increase in online hate targeting the Asian community, with a specific focus on South Asians. A recent report from Stop AAPI Hate has shed light on this troubling trend, revealing a surge in anti-Asian sentiment since November 2024. The data, collected from monitoring Domestic Violent Extremist (DVE) spaces in the U.S. between January 2023 and January 2025, paints a grim picture of the current landscape, characterized by escalating anti-immigrant and racist rhetoric.
Many Roots, One Home: A Call for Resilience
To address this surge in online hate, Stop AAPI Hate launched the advocacy campaign, Many Roots, One Home, on February 19, 2025. The campaign aims to empower Asian Americans and other migrant communities to push back against the anti-immigrant agenda of the current administration, which poses a threat to the safety, political influence, and rights of AAPI communities for years to come.
A Direct Correlation: Unpacking the Data
The report by Stop AAPI Hate highlights a significant increase in anti-South Asian hate in December 2024, coinciding with a public debate sparked by prominent figures like Trump, Elon Musk, and Vivek Ramaswamy regarding the H-1B visa program. This surge in hate is directly linked to instances where immigrants or their countries of origin are unfairly portrayed as economic, public health, or national security threats by public figures.
Moreover, an analysis of online hate and real-life hate crimes reveals a troubling correlation, indicating that the online space serves as an early warning system for hate crimes targeting ethnic communities. Manjusha Kulkarni, co-founder of Stop AAPI Hate and executive director of AAPI Equity Alliance, expressed deep concern over the current situation, stating, “We are extremely alarmed by the latest spikes of hate that Asian communities are facing today, both online and in-person. Trump and his loyalists have stoked the flames of anti-Asian scapegoating and bigotry for years.”
Key Findings: Understanding the Impact
The Stop AAPI Hate report presents several key findings that underscore the severity of the situation:
– Since the election, anti-Asian slurs have surged by 66%, with South Asians bearing the brunt of these attacks. In December 2024 and January 2025, 75% of slurs and threats of violence online were directed towards South Asians.
– Online threats of violence peaked in December 2024 and remained elevated in January 2025, coinciding with debates around the H-1B visa program and calls for more stringent anti-immigrant policies. This trend is further supported by the increase in attacks on Asian individuals offline, reflecting the emboldening of bad actors by the current administration’s policies.
– The surge in hate targeting AAPI communities raises serious concerns about their safety and well-being during the remainder of President Trump’s term.
A Call to Action: Standing Strong Against Hate
Cynthia Choi, co-founder of Stop AAPI Hate and co-executive Director of Chinese for Affirmative Action, emphasized the urgent need for action in the face of escalating hate. “As the only racial group that is majority foreign-born, AAPI communities are bearing the brunt of Trump’s xenophobic agenda,” she stated. Stop AAPI Hate is committed to mobilizing AAPI communities to resist the anti-immigrant and racist rhetoric perpetuated by the current administration.
In conclusion, the rise in online hate targeting South Asians post the 2024 elections demands a unified and resilient response from all communities. By shedding light on these alarming trends and advocating for change, organizations like Stop AAPI Hate are playing a crucial role in safeguarding the rights and well-being of AAPI communities in the face of growing hostility.
