How Have Asians Experienced Discrimination Differently during COVID-19? The Role of Nativity

17 Pages Posted: 5 Oct 2021 Last revised: 26 Jul 2022

See all articles by Cary Wu

Cary Wu

York University

Eric B. Kennedy

York University

Yue Qian

University of British Columbia

Rima Wilkes

University of British Columbia

Date Written: October 4, 2021

Abstract

In this article, we consider differences in how native-born Asians and foreign-born Asians may have experienced rising anti-Asian attacks during the COVID-19 pandemic. We analyze Canadian data from a national survey (two waves conducted in April and December 2020) that includes a subsample of 464 Asians (native-born=178; foreign-born=286). Results from negative binomial regressions suggest that perception of anti-Asian racism is highly conditioned by nativity. Specifically, native-born Asians are significantly more likely than foreign-born Asians to report having encountered instances of acute discrimination during the pandemic. To explain the perceived discrimination gap, we test whether a stronger sense of cultural belonging and ethnic pride among native-born Asians contributes to their greater sensitivity to discrimination and thereby higher perceptions of discrimination. We measure sense of cultural belonging and ethnic pride using in-group trust (ethnic trust in Asian people). Although we do find native-born Asians show greater in-group trust, it does not seem to explain away the higher levels of discrimination perceived by native-born Asians.

Keywords: Anti-Asian racism, COVID-19, discrimination, nativity

Suggested Citation

Wu, Cary and Kennedy, Eric B. and Qian, Yue and Wilkes, Rima, How Have Asians Experienced Discrimination Differently during COVID-19? The Role of Nativity (October 4, 2021). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3935761 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3935761

Cary Wu (Contact Author)

York University ( email )

4700 Keele Street
Toronto, Ontario M3J 1P3
Canada

Eric B. Kennedy

York University ( email )

4700 Keele Street
Toronto, Ontario M3J 1P3
Canada

Yue Qian

University of British Columbia ( email )

2329 West Mall
Vancouver, British Columbia BC V6T 1Z4
Canada
6044996362 (Phone)
V6T 1Z1 (Fax)

Rima Wilkes

University of British Columbia ( email )

2329 West Mall
Vancouver, British Columbia BC V6T 1Z4
Canada
6044996362 (Phone)
V6T 1Z1 (Fax)

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