Global Anti-Asian Racism

by Jennifer Ho (editor)

Global anti-Asian racism, particularly in the guise of Yellow Peril, has endured for centuries around the world. In Europe and the Americas, Asian immigrants and refugees were, and are, treated as threats to national security. Yellow Peril and anti-Asian racism is also found in Africa, Australia, and in Asian nations as well. Wherever Asian immigrants and refugees found themselves, anti-Asian sentiments quickly followed. The contributors to Global Anti-Asian Racism investigate the varied manifestations of prejudice and violence that Asians have endured through the 17th century to the twin pandemics of anti-Asian racism during COVID-19. From historical case studies in Mexico and Brazil to personal ruminations of people who are Asian German, mixed-race Swedish-Japanese, and adopted Korean American, to graphic narratives and poetic explorations, the essays in this volume illuminate the multifaceted nature of global anti-Asian racism and the resilience of Asians across the world to resist and counter this bigotry and bias.

182 pages, Paperback

Published February 27, 2024

Reviews

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Obviously this isn't a book for everyone. You have to have an interest in the topic of anti-Asian racism. I think we're all aware of the upswing we've seen that was accentuated by how trump addressed Covid so this book is timely. For me, I found it quite interesting to get a global point of view and to get some idea of how anti-Asian racism has been seen in countries around the world. There is some historical perspective and as it is a collected work from different authors, the presentation of information differs and adds to the book's readability.
For the person interested in a global perspective or ignorant of the pervasiveness of this racism, this book is an eye opener.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. It fills an important place on the shelf.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read a copy of this book.

I was very interested in reading this book, but sadly enough my ereader shattered those dreams...
My reader, which usually works quite well, just did not want me to read this book. It kept shutting off, showing me blank pages, etc. Because of all of that I only managed to read about 60% of the book... but what I read was pretty good!
Had a lot of information, too much information sometimes that it becomes a bit overwhelming especially when it's written in blocks of text with not a lot of space between the lines, but I'm still glad I "tried" to read this book. Wish I could have finished it tho!

[Angel 一匹狼 · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a pity that with a topic so interesting, "Global Anti-Asia Racism" doesn't end up delivering what it tries to do. Particularly because the introduction by Ho and then Yano's contribution are so interesting and feel and read like academic writing should be: easy, clear and to the point. But the following essays are all over the place, suffer from both academic stilted writing and from a focus on the 'me' that, however justified by the authors, is and feels reductionist. The message is there, but the delivery lacks and one has to wonder what was the editor doing. The best of the articles is the one created like a comic because it goes to the point, is creative and offers a lot of information. The others, as said above, is not that they are bad, but..., in the end, the book suffers from being a book written with a particular target in mind, and can't overcome its shortcomings. But if you are interested in the topic, give it a chance, because, it is still interesting enough.

The best: the beginning

The worst: I think many academics are too much in love with themselves/their own writing

Alternatives: "Postcolonial International Relations" by Lily H. M. Ling or "Sex Among Allies: Military Prostitution in U.S.-Korea Relations" by Katharine H.S. Moon are pretty good; there is also an article by Cynthia Enloe about sports shoes factories in Asia that is also interesting

6/10

(English; original)

*Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the copy*

[Fleur · Rating 4 out of 5]

This enlightening collection of essays sheds light on the profound impact of global anti-Asian racism and discrimination, tracing its origins back to Victorian-era Australia and beyond. It exposes a range of abuses, from the random assaults in Australia to the tragic murders in Germany, the objectification of Asian women, and the complex issues surrounding identity and belonging, as seen in the example of labeling individuals born in Hamburg as Asian. These narratives span across continents, highlighting the widespread nature of both subtle and overt prejudices faced by Asians in countries from Brazil to India, Europe, Australia, and the USA. Despite the grim realities, the book also conveys a message of hope and resilience against racism. It emphasizes the importance of finding beauty and joy amidst the struggle, embodying the dreams of our ancestors and fighting against fascism and oppression with the power of words and a collective spirit of resistance. This thought-provoking read not only raises awareness but also inspires action and optimism for a more inclusive world. A must read for everybody.

[CP · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this collection of essays. As an AAPI woman I knew many of the stories but only from an American perspective. It was very interesting to read the entries from the rest of the world. Definitely recommend this title to anyone interested in race politics.