Implications of Anti-AAPI Racism in Light of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Xenophobia against Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities has spanned decades of history, recently escalating in the context COVID-19 pandemic. According to Policy Planning Council, there were 2583 reports anti-Asian hate incidents as August 2020, with only rising [1]. The federal government done little ameliorate this racial discrimination. Although H. Res 908, condemning all forms sentiment, passed September, resolution took over 6 months pass 164 members House voting resolution. national response AAPI xenophobia parallels experiences community within medicine, promoting a cycle mental health issues stemming from prejudice lack systemic support. In particular, students medical field face same encounters discrimination addition stress pressure associated school. Students witness their future career paths, instigating sense fear uncertainty how they will be perceived by patients [2]. Concerns are compounded model minority myth, which implicates that academic achievement accomplishments define self-worth, value, identity [3]. A profound repercussion is leads an unwillingness seek out help address concerns community. Ultimately, lies challenge we can adequately support our current Firstly, increase for pertinent, may incentivize help. Secondly, education requires more topics regarding diversity, aid dismantling myth while teaching faculty about presence history xenophobia. Lastly, representation necessitates institutional push Asian-American academia. Despite Asians being over-represented recruitment, AAMC 6% professors, 3.52% chairpersons, 0% deans [4]. pandemic illustrated pervasive both beyond institution; therefore, have responsibility mitigate dilemma.