The New York City Commission on Human Rights is launching a massive effort to combat anti-Asian bias as reports of COVID-19-related discrimination skyrocket.
"This type of discrimination and harassment is not something that happens out of nowhere in a pandemic, this is based in deep-seated miseducation and racism," said Carmelyn Malalis, the commissioner of the New York City Commission on Human Rights. "I know that people doubt that there is any such thing as anti-Asian discrimination, and people have said that to my face."
"People have to understand that this is not something that we are making up and they have to see racism for what it really is," she added. "They think that signaling out an entire people for a pandemic -- that’s not discrimination or racism."
Malalis said that claims of anti-Asian discrimination and harassment to her office skyrocketed amid the coronavirus pandemic. From Feb. 1 through May 15, 2019, they received 11 such complaints. For the same time period this year, they have received 133 such complaints.
MORE: Asian Americans face coronavirus 'double whammy': Skyrocketing unemployment and discrimination She added, "This is not something that is just in New York City, this is something that we are seeing all across the country."
Malalis said the educational element of the campaign is "crucial."
The city agency's $100,000 public education effort will put ads in local media, online and in community pharmacies and convenience stores and aims to encourage more reporting of cases of discrimination or harassment as well as educate the public.