Open Letter on National Unity during the Coronavirus Pandemic
From 16 Australians of Chinese heritage
Hi all, below is an open letter from 16 Australians of Chinese heritage, calling for national unity in Australia the face of rising anti-Chinese sentiment. You can find the PDF version here or read it below.
We discussed this issue in last week’s Neican, and also published a piece by Osmond Chiu looking at the relationship between COVID-19 racism and historical anti-Chinese sentiment in Australia.
We think this is a serious issue that needs to be addressed immediately.
- Yun and Adam
OPEN LETTER ON NATIONAL UNITY DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
We are deeply concerned that the recent rise in anti-Chinese sentiment is driving a marked escalation in racial abuse towards Asian Australians. This poses a serious threat to our national unity.
As Australians of Chinese heritage, we have been shocked by footage of the vilification of Asian Australians that has circulated globally across social media with many of the victims targeted because of their Asian appearance. These instances are not isolated. In February, the Australian Human Rights Commission reported that one in four people who lodged racial discrimination complaints in the past two months say they were targeted due to COVID-19.
Australians are being targeted because of their Asian heritage or appearance and we cannot allow this disturbing trend to continue unchallenged. We ask for fairness in our national debate, our media reporting and in our communities.
Chinese and other Asian Australians have been in Australia since the 1800s. They have helped to build this nation, fought for Australia in both World Wars and are deeply loyal citizens.
Australians of all backgrounds mobilised and donated generously to affected communities and firefighters during the recent bushfires. And as Australia now battles the virus facing a shortage of personal protective equipment, Chinese Australians have been sourcing and donating large quantities of medical supplies to Australia, alongside other generous organisations and individuals.
As we confront the COVID-19 pandemic, national unity is critical to our defence and recovery.
Whilst robust debate about the bilateral relationship between Australia and China is appropriate and important — especially in the context of the protection of our democratic institutions and values — it is essential that the distrust, disenfranchisement and vilification of Asian Australians not be tolerated at any level.
To allow abuse of any group to occur in our current crisis, jeopardises Australia’s social cohesion at the time when we need it most. This is a time for all Australians to come together.
8 April 2020
Signed
Jason Yat-sen Li — Company director and advisor
Dr John Yu AC — Former Australian of the Year
Benjamin Law — Author and journalist
Su-Ming Wong — Investor and company director
Tony Ayres — Screenwriter and director
Annette Shun Wah — Writer and theatre maker
Albert Tse — Investor and company director
Albert Wong AM — Company director
Adam Liaw — Chef, author and presenter
Benjamin Chow AO — Company director
Wesa Chau — Innovator
William Yang — Photographer
Brad Chan — Company director
Jieh-Yung Lo — Writer and commentator
Claudia Chan Shaw — Designer, author, presenter
Dr Cindy Pan — GP and author
6 | 20 |
Is there some way that others can add their voice to this?
Hello, at China Neican.
Thankyou, for penning the open letter, and I'd say I'm really sad that it was necessary.
The sort of issues you bring up have been building in the back of my mind for a while, now, and I've started to be alarmed at even some of the so-called 'milder' anti-Chinese memes appearing on FB, and I'm sure in a lot of other media outlets.
I just wanted to post something in my own circle, and was able to use your link as part of a FB post to try in some small way to defuse the issue (quoted).
Good luck with sharing your concerns to a wider audience.
"Hi, Y'all. Next time you're thinking of sharing that little meme about 'blocking' Chinese business, or doing something with a 'bit' of retribution in the sentiment - please just take a long breath, and consider the outcome.
There's a very short bow between those 'little' acts and giving enough 'courage' to some dick to think he's got 'everyone' on his side when he shouts down some Asian in the street. Who is probably Filipino, or something other than Chinese, anyway."
https://neican.substack.com/p/open-letter-on-national-unity-during