Insults, violence and vandalism – Asian Australians and Asians living in Australia have been subjected to a huge increase in racist incidents since the advent of COVID-19. 

At the height of the global pandemic between January and October 2020, almost 85% percent of Asian Australians were subjected to at least one racist incident, according to an Australian National University report. Our partner, Asian Australian Alliance developed the landmark COVID-19 Racism Incident Survey, collecting over 600 reports of anti-Asian racism. Although COVID-19 sparked a wave of anti-Chinese and anti-Asian racism, this particular brand of prejudice isn’t new in Australia.

Diversity Arts Australia also received reports of Covid racism through our three ‘Lost Work for Creatives of Colour during Covid’ surveys. We responded with I Am Not A Virus Australia, an artist-led project that provided a platform for artists to confront these issues. It highlights and focuses on the voice of Asian-Australian artists affected by the racism unleashed by the pandemic era. The project responds to the increase in racist attacks including verbal threats, physical intimidation, denial of services, workplace discrimination and being coughed and spat upon since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.