Across the country, COVID-19 acted as a catalyst for increased aggression toward Asian American communities after the coronavirus was first reported in China over two years ago. Chicago seemed to have far fewer reported hate crimes than other major cities, like Los Angeles or New York City, but residents in Chinatown say numbers don’t tell the full story.
Deacon Chris Javier addresses attendees during a safety seminar for Chinese American residents to discuss public safety and court advocacy for victims of crimes at Chinese Christian Union Church in Chicago's Chinatown on May 21, 2022.
Though Chicago’s numbers are seemingly low, experts also cautioned that may not be a good thing. Most anti-Asian hate crimes are never reported to police, said Brian Levin, a criminal justice professor and director and founder of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino.
Javier wanted to take action, so he and his partners held the first safety seminar at the Chinatown church in late May, which also marked Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. More are planned this summer in an effort to address the community’s concerns with reporting crime happening to and around them, as well as to provide tips for staying safe and informed. The goal is to strengthen and empower the community that “has been hurting,” he said.
While many felt the weight of rising anti-Asian aggression and crime in the community, some residents believe Chicago itself is a place they feel safe and welcome.Fei Liang, manager of Phoenix Restaurant in Chicago, immigrated to the city from China in 2003 and said he never really felt anti-Asian hate or discrimination was an issue, even during the early days of the pandemic.
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