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CURRENT EVENTS
current events | 21
This month’s biggest news includes an increase in Asian hate crimes, Biden’s airstrike in Syria, trouble in the royal family and protest against violence against women. + by Stella Grist
STOP ASIAN HATE
The United States has seen a sharp increase in violence against Asian Americans Since the start of the pandemic, hate crimes against Asian Americans have become a prevalent issue in the United States, due to racial stereotypes surrounding the pandemic. These acts of violence have been largely ignored, until a shooting in Atlanta on March 16, 2021. At three spas in Atlanta, the perpetrator, Robert Long, shot nine people, killing eight, six of which were Asian-American women. He claimed to have a sex addiction and said the goal of the shooting was to “eliminate the sources of temptation.” The circumstances of this attack have resulted in the belief that it was racially motivated as well as being rooted in misogyny. “[The shootings appear to be the] intersection of gender-based violence, misogyny and xenophobia” state Rep. Bee Nguyen said in an article with the Associated Press. Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Capt. Jay Baker came under fire for remarks made about the attacker, saying Long committed the attack because he was having a “really bad day.” Many believe his words go to show the normalization of violence against Asian Americans and
how hate crimes against them aren’t taken seriously. This is a recent demonstration of a long string of attacks against Asian-American people. According to the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism, hate crimes dropped by 7% in 2020, but those targeting Asian Americans rose 149%. 41% of which were against those of Chinese descent. 66% of these hate crimes were in the form of verbal harassment, 20% shunning or avoidance, 8% physical assault and 6% coughing or spitting. According to Stop AAPI Hate, 68% of attacks are against women. In January, President Joe Biden signed a memorandum denouncing this discrimination and heightened violence toward Asian Americans. According to NBC, the memorandum issues guidance for the Justice Department to better respond to antiAsian hate crimes. “I think these are very promising,” executive director of Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council Manju Kulkarni said in an article with NBC. “I think it’s just the beginning. There’s a lot more work that needs to be done.”
BIDEN’S FIRST MILITARY ACTION
The implications of the airstrike on Syria
President Joe Biden launched an airstrike in Syria against an Iranian militia called Kataeb Hezbollah, or the Hezbollah Brigades, on Feb. 25, 2021. This was Biden’s first military action taken while in office. According to the Associated Press, the airstrike was launched in retaliation for an attack which killed a civilian and injured a U.S. service member in Iraq. Biden’s goal, however, was not to increase the U.S. military presence in the Middle East, but to demonstrate his willingness to defend the United States there. An Iraqi militia official told the Associated Press that the U.S. airstrikes resulted in the death of one soldier and injured several others. This attack was met with criticism from both Republicans and Democrats who condemned Biden’s decision, and even accused him of violating international law. Those who support his actions, however, say that it was a “defensive strike.” Many wonder what this strike could mean for the future of U.S. international
relations with the Middle East. This attack was intended to send a message that attacks on U.S. troops will not be tolerated, but negotiations are still on the table. It is unlikely that this strike will result in an escalation of attacks. “President Biden will act to protect American and coalition personnel,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said in an interview with the Associated Press. “At the same time, we have acted in a deliberate manner that aims to deescalate the overall situation in eastern Syria and Iraq.” Biden’s recent actions have brought on questions from both sides regarding his values. Given that he conducted the strike so early in his presidency, some believe his actions were inconsistent with the way he was portrayed during his campaign. As a result, politicians are beginning to ask how far he will go to defend U.S. troops and where that line is drawn.
ROYAL REPROACH Prince Harry and Meghan Markle disclosed poor treatment by the royal family in a recent interview In a tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Harry and Meghan Markle share their experiences with the royal family. This interview shocked people world-wide and prompted a response from Buckingham Palace. Harry and Meghan sat down for an interview lasting two hours, first with Markle alone, then with the couple together. During the interview, Harry discussed his relationships with his brother and father, which, in a word, are complicated. Harry felt tied to his family through an “invisible contract,” living in constant fear of the press and tabloids. He felt trapped within his family and, if not for Meghan, would likely have never found a way out. Meghan told painful accounts of her mental health during her first pregnancy. She had thoughts of suicide and, when she tried to seek help, the institution around the royal family forbade her. During her pregnancy with
Archie, members of the royal family expressed concerns about the baby’s skin color. In addition, Meghan spoke of the racist comments made in the British tabloids and by British citizens and the royal family themselves. The royal family then refused to crown him a prince or offer him any protections as a member of the royal family. In response, Buckingham Palace released a statement on behalf of the queen, reading, “The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan. The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately. Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members.”
RECLAIM THE STREETS
The abduction and murder of Sarah Everard sparks outcry from women all over the United Kingdom solutions as they are hit with a brutal cold snap
Sarah Everard, a 33-year-old woman from the United Kingdom, disappeared on March 3, 2021. Two days later, her body was discovered. Police arrested a fellow officer, Wayne Couzens, in connection with the case. Officials say that Everard left a friend’s house to walk home and was not heard from. The cause of her abduction and the normalization of violence against women set off a series of protests throughout the U.K. After the suspected murder of Everard by a trusted official, hundreds of women began to come forward to discuss their own experiences. “When she went missing, any woman who has ever walked home alone at night felt that grim, instinctive sense of recognition,” columnist Gaby Hinsliff wrote in “The Guardian.” “Footsteps on a dark street. Keys gripped between your fingers.” Vigils and protests were organized to remember Everard. However, according to the Associated Press, many of these organizers failed to get legal approval for various reasons, including COVID-19 restrictions. While the organizations planned on safe, socially distanced gatherings, the court ruled the gatherings
unlawful and said high fines would be incurred. Many groups still planned to hold their protests in remembrance of Everard. A vigil held at Clapham Common in London took place, despite being unofficial. It was named “Reclaim the Streets,” to emphasize the feelings of terror women feel purely from being alone on the street. According to BBC, the police present at the event began to intervene when protests began to pack tightly, presenting a higher risk for COVID-19 transmission. They began handcuffing and removing attendees from the crowd, in many instances using extreme force. Videos and pictures have been circulating on social media depicting the officers’ actions and criticizing their response to the vigil. Women have been charged and fined after attending these vigils, which was met with criticism by some U.K. politicians. In response, according to BBC, the Metropolitan Police will be meeting to discuss the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts bill, which could lead to more restrictions on rights to protest in the United Kingdom. + design by Alden Norberg
