What To Do If You See A Racist Attack
You Might Be Able to Help
During these unprecedented times when the global pandemic has brought major changes to the world and the brutal killing of George Floyd by a Minnesota police officer has caused people to focus on racial issues, racist attacks have escalated. Racist rants against innocent people of minority races have become more common.
It is not known for certain if the police officer in Minnesota was really racist. He was married to an Hmong American woman who was reported to have divorced him the next day after George Floyd’s death. The partner of this officer who held his knee on George Floyd’s neck until he could not breathe is an Asian American. Reports have said that George Floyd and the police officer knew each other. Perhaps it was not a racist attack but rather hatred for someone he knew. Nevertheless, the case brought racist actions often taken by the police against Black men to the forefront.
Other cases which had happened in the past of clear racial bias exhibited against Black people were also brought up to the public. Videos emerged of situations where Black men or women were treated unjustly by police and by ordinary civilians. Protests erupted, both peaceful and violent, throughout the country. More racial problems emerged.
Racist attacks are on the rise. The coronavirus has people blaming the Chinese for the pandemic. Since most people do not distinguish among the various Asian ethnicities, Americans of any Asian background are being targeted with hateful rhetoric and violence. This behavior is being fueled by certain political leaders. The victims are totally innocent of any wrong, but racist people are ranting against them simply for their physical characteristics. Usually, they are rants with words which can hurt deeply, but sometimes there have been physical assaults as well.
If you see a racist attack taking place, there are some things you might be able to do to intervene and stop the attack. Here are a few ways that could work.
Show concern for the victim.
Take a video of the encounter.
Speak up if warranted.
Step in if possible.
Call the police.
Show concern for the victim. Usually the person who is the subject of the racist attack has done nothing wrong. They may have just been in the wrong place at the wrong time when they were confronted by a hateful person who does not know them. They may have racist rants hurled at them in a grocery store, in a parking lot, at a park, or other public setting. Showing some concern and care for the victim will help him or her. It might also stop the attack or ranting by the racist person.
Take a video of the encounter. Nearly everyone these days has a cell phone with a camera on it which takes videos. If you see a person being racially attacked (or attacked in any other manner), it is usually fairly easy to start taking a video to document the incident. Some perpetrators may become angry with being put on a video so it is important to access the danger to yourself and the victim before and during filming.
Speak up if warranted. Sometimes the perpetrators in racial attacks are angry but not foolish enough to want to get arrested. They are venting their anger, but they may be easily harnessed if some bystander speaks up in defense of the innocent person. It might be possible to intervene by saying something simple to indicate that the person does not deserve this treatment.
Step in if possible. It may be possible to help by stepping between the aggressor and the victim. A woman and her daughter were at a grocery store when an angry man started to yell at an Asian American woman. He was accusing her of bringing the coronavirus to the United States and told her to go back to her own country. Most likely, the woman being attacked had been born in this country. The woman and her daughter immediately stood in front of the other woman so the man could not cause bodily harm to the victim. The situation was diffused. It is important to make sure that you are not in danger from the angry perpetrator, but it is helpful to show genuine concern for the victim and to step in if possible to stop the attack.
Call the police. The police have recently been the target of bad publicity due to some seemingly racist attacks against Black men and the racial protests which have been held. However, the police are there to serve the public. Most of them are undoubtedly good people who are trying to do a good job. It is logical to call the police when help is needed. It is usually best not to have direct intervention with a perpetrator if you see that a person is being racially attacked or threatened with bodily harm from a person who seems violent. Maybe the victim could be asked if the police should be called.
When the police respond, the incident may be investigated as a hate crime. It is against the law to discriminate against innocent people on the basis of race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity. People should not be threatened. Hate crime laws are state and federal laws which are intended to protect against hate crimes. The perpetrators of racial attacks and racist rants may be guilty of and could be prosecuted for hate crimes.
There has been a rash of racially charged incidents throughout the country lately. Usually White people have allegedly done the harassing of verbally attacking Blacks or other minorities. There is no indication that the racist attacks and rants will stop any time soon. There are too many racist and hateful people who are letting their emotions get the best of them during these trying times. They take it out on innocent bystanders. Seeing leaders of the country making racially charged statements and bullying others does not help.
Speaking to family members and friends about race to discuss the issues of racial inequities and racist attacks is a good idea for everyone. Young people and children should be taught that racism needs to be eliminated as much as possible. It is good for the public to be aware that racism happens and to be prepared to help if the need arises. Racism could happen to their family or friends or they may see it happen to a complete stranger. It is also wise to talk about others who might also be victims of hate crimes other than for racial reasons.
People who are guilty of racist rants and racial assaults may proclaim that they are not racist, but their actions prove otherwise. They make life miserable for innocent people. They may not care who knows their true feelings. They likely feel entitled and like they were treated unfairly. They usually attack an innocent person they do not know. Maybe they just need to be taught some understanding and tolerance for people who are different than they are.
If victims of racist rants and racial attacks have the courage to speak up for themselves when attacked, the perpetrator may back off. Often the victims are too surprised or scared to say anything. Others can step in to assist the victims of racial attacks if it is safe to do so. It will take courage for bystanders to help protect people and stop the racist attacks.
Racial attacks and racist rants could happen less frequently or be better controlled if more people were able to say something or do something. There would be more equity and fairness in the world if more people would be concerned for their fellowmen. Being more kind, understanding, loving, and tolerant to others is a good way to start.
