Asian American women respond to racist incidents and violence

When the COVID-19 pandemic began more than two years ago, reported violence and hate incidents targeting Asian Americans spiked.  

The national organization Stop AAPI Hate recorded close to 6,300 reports of hate incidents against Asian Americans in 2021. That’s a 35 percent increase from the year before. And more than half of those hate incidents happened to Asian women.

One-third of Asian Americans say they fear threats and physical attacks, according to a 2021 survey by the Pew Research Center. 

MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two Asian American women in Minnesota about how they are doing and how their communities are responding. 

Guests: 

• Naomi Ko is a performer, filmmaker, activist and founding member of Funny Asian Women Kollective.

• Rep. Samantha Vang is a DFL lawmaker in the Minnesota House of Representatives. She represents Brooklyn Center. 

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