What the Surge in Anti-Asian Hate Crimes Means to Asian Americans in Omaha
By Justin Diep, Junior NOISE Contributor
Anti-AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islanders) hate crimes have been on the rise since the start of the pandemic. The recent Atlanta spa shootings, which occurred on March 16, highlighted this trend and brought it to national attention. Although authorities have not declared the shooting a hate crime, many people believe it was racially motivated since a majority of the victims were Asian. The Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University San Bernardino released a report showing Anti-Asian hate crimes surged 149% in 16 cities throughout the country in 2020.
In Omaha, anti-Asian hate crimes seem non-existent, at least on paper. The Omaha Police Department stated the last anti-Asian hate crime on record was in 2014. Harvard Business School Professor Laura Huang spoke with a NOISE reporter over email. Huang, who teaches in the school’s Organizational Behavior Unit believes the lack of hate crimes recorded here in Omaha could be in part due to underreporting of hate crimes by victims and bystanders.
“I do think there is hesitation,” Huang said via email. “Many in the Asian and Asian American community feel like they can't "create waves" or that their voice will not be heard in the same way.”
However, the attacks raised concerns for Asian business owners including Duc Ong, owner of Omaha Nails & Spa. “I feel so scared because what I saw in Atlanta, but hopefully everything will be good,” Ong said.
Ong believes an attack similar to what happened in Atlanta is unlikely to happen here as he believes in the goodwill of Nebraskans and Omahans. He’s seen it through his diverse customers in how kind and friendly each one is, he says. Ong shares this sentiment with many others in the community NOISE has spoken to.
“Everyone here is so friendly, I love them,” Ong said. “ I have customers who are very friendly. They help me and they talk with me every day.”
However, like many others, Ong remains vigilant because he understands an attack can happen at any time, not only at his business, but anywhere.
Huang encourages people to speak up if they see something or are a victim themselves, so actions can be taken to prevent future attacks. “A lot of times the authorities don't take reports seriously,” Huang said. “That's why it is critical for people who witness hate crimes to speak up and help in reporting them. When there are more voices, and more accounts of events, that's when they get taken seriously.”
CLICK FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE RISE OF ANTI ASIAN HATE, PARTICULARLY AFTER THE START OF THE PANDEMIC.