Buzz
This should be obvious, but I feel the need to say it: don’t be a racist, xenophobic idiot. Many of you would never consider making these kinds of jokes, and for that, you deserve a gold star. With that star, you also carry the task of giving your friends a blank stare when they say something offensive and asking, 'I don’t understand. Can you explain why that’s funny?' until they feel the weight of their words and realize their mistake.
Unfortunately, the world still needs people to speak out. Asian students are facing bullying at school; a Canadian public health minister of Hong Kong descent was targeted with racist remarks when discussing coronavirus. It’s not just a rumor – you’ve likely heard or, unfortunately, even made such offensive jokes.
Racist jokes related to coronavirus are not just a joke – they have real consequences. Asian students are being harassed, and public figures of Asian descent, like the Canadian health minister born in Hong Kong, face racist insults while talking about the pandemic. It's a reality that needs to stop.
Panic and prejudice often arise during health crises, and they’re more than just jokes. For instance, the ongoing quarantines of travelers from China might be influenced by xenophobia rather than genuine concern. The World Health Organization specifically advised against quarantining healthy travelers, noting that the evidence does not support it.
The jokes aren’t funny, racial profiling is neither kind nor effective, and stereotypes are spreading false information. For example, British tabloids revived old footage of Chinese individuals eating unusual foods, including bats, suggesting these practices are responsible for the virus. There’s no truth to this, but the videos went viral anyway.
We’re capable of more than this. If you’re concerned about the coronavirus, focus your energy where it counts. Wash your hands, get your flu shot, and give your friends a stern look if they try to get you to laugh at their offensive jokes.
