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Cafetalk Tutor's Column

Tutor Audrey オードリー 's Column

GO BE SAFE Canada

Apr 30, 2021

GO BE SAFE is not a campaign.  It is a program to partially reimburse for Uber rides for Asians who feel unsafe to go out or to take public transit. This program hasn't been launched yet.
 
There has been a disturbing surge of anti-Asian hate, including physical assault against children and elderly people being spat and coughed on, according to a report in Canada.  The report was released by several advocacy groups, including the Chinese Canadian National Toronto Chapter.
 
There have over 1000 cases of racist attacks reported through online platforms in 2020.  10% of all cases involved people being spat or coughed on, 11% involved unwanted touching or physical assaults.  20% of attacks occurred in restaurants or grocery stores. Nearly half of the attacks happened in public spaces like parks, streets, and sidewalks.
 
Collectively and individually, these racist incidents have resulted in deep and long-lasting impacts on the Asian Canadian communities as a whole. 
 
The authors said racist and false ideas about the spread of COVID 19 fuelled the spike in hate. 
 
The Go Be Safe program may help some people who are afraid to take public transit, however, it is not going to help prevent attacks inside a grocery store.
 
I hope the Government will educate the public more and impose stricter punishment on hate crime.
 

This column was published by the author in their personal capacity.
The opinions expressed in this column are the author's own and do not reflect the view of Cafetalk.

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