Anti-Asian Racism and the Covid-19 Pandemic in Canada

The outbreak of COVID-19 sparked a troubling surge in assaults and discrimination against individuals of Asian descent in Canada, creating what has been called a "shadow pandemic" of racism. Anti-Asian Racism and the COVID-19 Pandemic in Canada offers a comprehensive examination of the causes, consequences, and responses to this resurgence of prejudice.

While previous epidemics such as SARS and H1N1 also triggered anti-Asian sentiment, the COVID-19 pandemic saw an especially severe backlash. Historical stereotypes, including the "yellow peril" trope from late-nineteenth-century discourse, were revived to portray Asians as an existential threat to the West. Even beyond the height of the pandemic, Asian Canadians have continued to face COVID-19-related social, economic, and racial discrimination.

Bringing together multidisciplinary perspectives, the contributors use historical analysis and empirical research to trace the rise of anti-Asian racism and to examine the strategies Asian communities have employed to resist discrimination and foster solidarity. This essential work illuminates the ongoing struggle against racial injustice and offers insights for building a more equitable society.