BIPOC Voices, Fashion, News & Events

All the fashion brands speaking out on #StopAsianHate

#StopAsianHate is a fight for equality.

words by: Natasha Marsh

Mar 16, 2021

Fact: the media has been too quiet to report on the anti-Asian hate crimes going on in the world. Circling around the news is the murder of Vicha Ratanapakdee in San Francisco, slashing of Noel Quitana in New York and other attacks on senior Asian citizens. But what about the daily attacks that are happening? Why is it constantly a pattern that the media takes a back seat approach to all things POC. The truth of the matter is, ever since Agent Orange falsely labeled COVID-19 as the “China Virus” or “Kung Flu”, after discovering origins in Wuhan, China, hate crimes against Asians have increased dramatically in the country and surrounding countries.

Many fashion brands are now speaking out on Instagram, declaring their solidarity with the Asian community. So far we’ve heard from Valentino, Nike, adidas, Converse, and Tommy Hilfiger. These designers are working to raise awareness on the issues at hand, whether that’s microaggressions, or physical and verbal violence — creating the hashtag #StopAsianHate to trend.

It’s highly problematic that the media is now taking a stand on the discrimination and racism that Asians everywhere face, and more specifically in the last 12 months. It perpetuates the idea that the struggles and discrimination the Asian community faces, are not important. This of course, is wrong. I hope America will finally learn that silence is complacency. Boasting that you were at protests for Black Lives Matter or LGBTQ+ rights, while refusing to start a conversation around Asian injustice, is silence. You are part of the problem.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s nice to see the fashion industry voice their frustration for the hate crimes committed to Asians, especially when the media isn’t. But there is still a great amount of work to be done to achieve equality. The fashion industry profits annually from Asian fashion designers, creative directors, influencers, and customers. At the very least, the fashion industry owes them their support.

“I sit here feeling somewhat helpless, invisible and semi-defeated because our Asian stories are not being reported in mainstream media,” fashion designer Phillip Lim said in the clip. Lim also provided multiple ways for people to help: combat lies and stereotypes, calling your Asian friends, peers and colleagues and donating to charitable causes.