The Coronavirus From The Outside
Kenny Do
Now in Sweden (IKEA Land), guest author Kenny Do attended ISB between 2015-2018 with the current class of ‘21.
Though far from Beijing, he reflects on his connection to China with the recent Coronavirus outbreak (he insists that connection runs much deeper than his love for Chinese street food). In his first article for Buddy!, he argues for empathy and understanding in this turbulent period.
Maskerna är tyvärr slutsålda på alla apotek i Stockholm. The cashier at the checkout offers an apologetic look as she unwillingly foils my plan to buy masks and send to friends and family in China. The same reply many have received all over Stockholm echoes in the store as I exit: Sorry, we are out of masks in all of Stockholm.
After leaving China, I didn’t expect for 伟大中国 to reappear so often in my daily life as it does. Be it the dishes cooked at home that remind me of the endless dining options in Sanlitun or the social media posts shared by classmates highlighting the atrocities committed in the Xinjiang province, the nation of China has found its way into my life through small everyday things that remind me of the place I used to call home. At least, mostly small everyday things. When news of the novel coronavirus first started appearing in my radius, I passed it off as another small thing sensationalized by the media. I remember distinctly talking to a friend of mine about it, not recalling if it came from Xi’an or Wuhan. That was before it became a household name under the moniker “Wuhan virus”. In our time, news of destructive war, famine and disease has become so commonplace I’m sure the minds of many employ a similar thing to mine; that is, a sort of filter that simmers out anything deemed “tragic but not of relevance”. But when what had once only been a faint idea of a local illness at a fish-market had gained enough traction to be reported on almost daily, I began to take more notice. Sure enough, the world in general began to take note of the novel coronavirus as it spread from a relatively internationally unknown locale in China to bigger and more well-known cities and neighbouring countries. Soon, my school’s yearly trip for seniors to BEIMUN at ISB was threatened with cancellation, which sure soon enough happened through a very emotional Instagram post.
“… the nation of China has found its way into my life through small everyday things that remind me of the place I used to call home.”
When new things appear, it is a standard human response to be afraid. But more often than not, that fear is directed at the wrong thing. With the spread of “Wuhan virus” across borders, so came also the spread of Sinophobia. Chinese people worldwide were suddenly all considered possible bearers of the feared virus, among other accusations such as being cat and dog eaters and unhygienic tourists. Fear sparks hatred.
When taking the metro or commute train, I sometimes notice people giving me an odd look. But I’ve actually not experienced anything as bad as what my fellow Asian or part-Asian friends have experienced- one friend had people avoid her on a train, leaving seats free on a packed metro ride. We deal with these things through humor rather than confrontation. Laughing at ignorant people that go out of their way to avoid “carriers” has a way of minimizing the effect of their blatant ignorance.
“We deal with these things through humor rather than confrontation.”
I was pleasantly surprised when many videos popped up on my Instagram feed and Snapchat stories of students and past alumni from ISB sharing their disgust and irritation of the online Sinophobia spurred on by the virus. I wanted to post a video of my own take on it, but I hesitated. Who was I to talk when I had barely experienced any of the effects of the virus, whether physical in terms of being in quarantine or the mental effects of being discriminated against online and in real life? Instead, I indulged in the commentary I found and shared it further.
(From Scmpnews on Instagram)
I think it’s about time that something is said about the discrimination of Asians online. In discussions on racially offensive comments, costumes and jokes on the internet, the Asian community is often overlooked, with the issue of racism being identified as a purely white/black issue. With the social media posts in response to the response in response to the coronavirus outbreak posted by several of you as well as thousands of others, the discussion reached beyond national borders and out to the world.
“I think it’s about time that something is said about the discrimination of Asians online.”
The horrendous Coronavirus claims more lives each passing day. It has put China on lockdown, interrupting the daily lives of millions. But it has also brought the international Chinese (and Asian) diaspora closer. As a part-Chinese person who grew up far from China, the coronavirus outbreak in a way has made me find my identity more. I sympathize with the people affected and I engage myself in the discussions regarding Sinophobia, free speech and governmental actions.
To all of you reading this, whether in China or abroad, 加油. We can only hope that the virus is under control soon. Until then, continue powering through eLearning. Most important of all, continue the discussion of action against Sinophobia. Believe me, it has an impact, even in a small and faraway nation like Sweden.
Kenny Do
International College, Stockholm, Sweden 02/21-2020
加油！
(From The Jakarta Post)