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In this section, we will be outlining the history of COVID-19 (origin, transmission, global response, racism), other racially charged diseases (e.g. ebola, swine flu), as well as the xenophobia faced by early Asian-American immigrants.
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On December 31, 2019, a mysterious illness was first reported in the city of Wuhan in Central Asia. It was believed to have come from a Huanan seafood market in Wuhan that was immediately shut down by authorities.
Researchers suspect that the wild animals being sold were the source of the disease. Chinese authorities identified the cause of the outbreak to be the novelty coronavirus.
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SARSCHINA
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SWINE FLUMEXICO
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EbolaWEST AFRICA
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Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, most commonly referred to as SARS, originated in the Guangdong Province of China in February 2002. It is in the lineage category “B” of the coronavirus. It was said to have been transmitted from bats, to civets, then humans.
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The 2009 H1N1 virus, commonly known as the “swine flu” began circulating in pigs around the same time the influenza virus occurred in humans in 1918. The H1N1 virus evolved differently in pigs over time compared to human H1N1, it created a non-effective, pre-existing immunity to the seasonal H1N1 virus encountered in 1918.
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The origins of the ebola virus are unknown today, but it was discovered in 1976 near the Ebola River, known today as the Democratic Republic of Congo. Based on its similarities with other viruses, they believe that it is animal-borne, with bats or other primates being the most likely sources.
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During this outbreak the virus radicalized Asians as disease vectors. Media outlets illustrated their stories with images of Chinatown buildings and Chinese people wearing masks.
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During this outbreak people radicalized Latinos. Claiming that emergency rooms have turned into free condominiums for Mexicans, Latinos were deemed pigs, and were suspected as walking germ warfare weapons sent from terrorists.
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During this outbreak there was an increased number of racial profiling towards African Americans or any individuals of color. The virus contributed and fed pre existing racism in Western society during that time.
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mid -1900s |
Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 |
Magnuson Act of 1943 |
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Between the 1870s and the 1900s, the majority of immigrants were coming from Ireland, England, and Germany. The main attraction of migrating to the U.S. was for the gold. Nearly 12 million immigrants migrated to the United States during the start of the California gold rush. They eventually established their own businesses from laundromats to restaurants. Eventually, Americans began to compete for jobs which were specifically reserved for the Chinese. This resulted in racism and violence, leading to the signing of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882.
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Prevented any new Chinese immigration. Limited the number of existing Chinese immigrants who were allowed to become naturalized citizens. Product of the widespread anti-Chinese movement in California during the second half of the 19th century.
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Repealed the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. Permitted a quota of 105 Chinese immigrants every year. The Chinese were the first to be excluded from entering the U.S. in the era of immigration restriction, but were also the first to be granted entry into the U.S. in the era of liberalization.
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