Asian-Americans can no longer ignore hate

Worthington Board of Education member Sam Shim — the first Asian-American elected to political office in central Ohio — tells The Other Side he is personally afraid and often looks over his shoulder after recent attacks in the U.S. against Asian-Americans. Some of the blame for this violence must be borne by political figures, Shim says, who sought to scapegoat Asian-Americans for the COVID-19 pandemic by using terms like "China Virus" or "Kung Flu." Shim says the attacks have created a cultural shift among Asian-Americans, who were traditionally reluctant to speak out about the racism they face. He believes that the Asian-American community must partner with allies such as the Black Lives Matter movement to push for racial justice and a more inclusive society.