“But she is dead.”
“No, it’s a regular person.”
“Yeah, just write a check.”
“Eleven thousand dollars. She was 26 anyway.”
“She had limited value.”
These words come from the vice president of the Seattle Police Officers Guild, who laughed at the death of a South Asian student killed by another cop in the area.
In recent weeks, the name Jaahnavi Kandula has risen to prominence, drawing worldwide attention to a disheartening and persistent issue that continues to plague American society: Asian hate. As we delve into her story, we must confront the stark reality that Asian hate is not merely an isolated incident, but a deeply-rooted problem that demands collective attention and action.
Jaahnavi Kandula was a bright and talented 23-year-old masters student in Seattle. She supported her single mother in India, who saved money to enable her daughter to have the chance to study in America. Kandula was killed in January of 2023 by a police officer who was driving 50 miles per hour through an intersection. Hours later, the vice president of the city’s Police Officers Guild laughed about her death on a phone call, which was released to the public in September.
The lack of respect shown towards Kandula’s death is not unique. It is a reflection of a broader pattern of discrimination that affects countless individuals of Asian descent across our nation. Kandula’s experience serves as an example of the Asian hate that often goes unnoticed or dismissed. Not only was she killed by a cop, she was degraded and labeled as being of “limited value.”
Kandula’s story is not just about a single encounter, but an event that depicts the unjust biases that remain constant in society. It is a story of a young woman who had to face the indignity of being singled out and disrespected because of her ethnicity. This is a story that resonates with many who have been similarly targeted.
According to recent data from organizations including Stop AAPI Hate and the FBI:
In 2020, there was a staggering 150% increase in reported anti-Asian hate crimes in major U.S. cities.
Asian women have been disproportionately targeted, accounting for a significant portion of the reported incidents.
Nearly 68% of these hate incidents have occurred in public spaces, highlighting the pervasive nature of the issue.
It is important to note that these statistics likely underestimate the true scope of the problem, as additional incidents go unreported due to fear, language barriers, or cultural factors.
Asian hate also manifests differently for various communities. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated hate for East Asian communities, as they were unfairly blamed for the virus's spread. These harmful stereotypes and rhetoric have fueled the development of hate for East Asian Americans in recent years.
In addition to the immediate psychological and emotional trauma it causes to its victims, Asian hate forms a cycle of division, fear, and mistrust in our society. It erodes the foundations of equality and diversity that our nation has promised to uphold.
Jaahnavi Kandula's story is a stern reminder that the fight against Asian hate is far from over. To rectify this issue, we must acknowledge this issue, confront it with action, and work collectively to build a more inclusive and equitable future for all. By educating ourselves about Asian culture and history, speaking out against discriminatory practices, supporting initiatives that work to stop Asian hate, and advocating for policies of equality that address hate crimes, we can help stop this perpetuated discrimination and give justice to those who suffered from Asian hate.
“Limited value” is not defined by color, and it never should be.
Sources:
Griffith, J. (2023, September 12). Bodycam records officer saying a woman run over by Seattle police had ‘limited value’. NBC News. Retrieved September 20, 2023, from https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/seattle-police-body-cam-video-discussing-woman-hit-by-officer-rcna104618
(2020, March). Reports. STOP AAPI HATE. Retrieved September 22, 2023, from https://stopaapihate.org/reports/
(n.d.). Hate Crime Statistics. STOP AAPI HATE. Retrieved September 25, 2023, from https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/more-fbi-services-and-information/ucr/hate-crime