We don’t talk about it much yet it is a reality. On Wednesday 15 March 2023, a study supported by the Defender of Rights and conducted by the multidisciplinary research network “Migrations from East and South-East Asia in France” (MAF) painted an alarming picture of the state of anti-Asian racism in France . Findings point to an increasing trivialization of discrimination against East and Southeast Asian people.
The pandemic has raised awareness
The study, conducted by sociologists from the REACTAsia project, shows that anti-Asian racism often remains a blind spot in official discrimination reporting. ” In France, despite the existence of studies on prejudices and stereotypes against people of Asian origin, research has paid little attention to the experiences of racism and discrimination affecting them. In this context, the REACTAsia project, carried out in collaboration with the Association des Jeunes Chinois de France (AJCF), makes use of a survey based on in-depth biographical interviews “explains The Defender of Public Rights on its website.
To remedy this, a group of sociologists therefore conducted in-depth biographical interviews with 32 young graduates of Asian origin (newcomers or descendants of migrants), aged 20 to 40, residing in France between 2020 and 2022. The goal ? Ask them very concretely about their experience of the discrimination they experience on a daily basis. For some of the young people interviewed, the pandemic has played a decisive role in raising awareness of the ordinary racism they experience. Indeed, the pandemic has exacerbated anti-Asian racism. The testimonies of discrimination and amalgamations had multiplied as the coronavirus spread in France.
Undercover comments of humor
The study shows ” own specificities to experiences of anti-Asian racism, such as the trivialization ” AND ” the ordinary character of their manifestations. Simeng Wang, one of the report’s authors, explained in a press presentation that such racist remarks were made often.” in the form of humour “. According to the report, public spaces, school and work are the places of discrimination most cited by respondents.
School is often where children first experience racism, and the world of work is associated with both racism and discrimination. Some experiences are also reported in the field of accommodation, access to care, as well as on social networks.
Public Defender website. “LIGHTS: A STUDY TO DOCUMENT DISCRIMINATION AGAINST PEOPLE OF ASIAN DESCENT”, March 15, 2023.
Furthermore, if 80% of the interviewees have a Bac+5 level, the testimonies collected prove it diploma, qualification and mastery of French do not protect against discrimination and racism. Instead, they open the door to new forms of stigma, such as ” ethnic assignment of tasks, denial of status recognition, glass ceiling, etc. “. One of the testimonials tells how, as a graduate of a Parisian business school, she sent her application for management positions, but was never called back for these positions. On the other hand, some companies offered her sales positions instead.
gender racism
Last striking element of the report: Racism manifests itself differently depending on the gender of the targeted person. The men interviewed state that they are subject to stereotypes related to their often denied or devalued masculinity, while women are the object of fantasies and fetishes. This is particularly expressed in the world of work where women of Asian origin” often have to deal with the intertwining of racism and sexism, which can take the form of sexual harassment “.
Source: Madmoizelle
Mary Crossley is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. She is a seasoned journalist who is dedicated to delivering the latest news to her readers. With a keen sense of what’s important, Mary covers a wide range of topics, from politics to lifestyle and everything in between.
