Elizabeth Todor
Pronouns: She/her/hers
Research Mentor(s): Melissa Borja
Research Mentor School/College/Department: American Culture / LSA
Program:
Authors: Melissa Borja, Elizabeth Todor
Session: Session 6: 3:40 pm – 4:30 pm
Poster: 60
Abstract
2021 saw the passage of the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, which addressed hate crimes against the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study investigates the nuanced reactions of Asian American racial justice organizations to the Act. By collecting and analyzing statements from these organizations, this project assesses the different community responses, which ranged from support for the Act to criticism and proposals for broader legislative measures. This study reveals how community responses reflected the broader racial justice landscape, the call for intersectional approaches to legislation, and the importance of collaborative efforts to address systemic racism. Ultimately, this research helps policymakers, activists, and scholars gain a nuanced understanding of the ways racial justice organizations engage with and respond to hate crime legislation and envision effective and inclusive approaches to combating discrimination and racial injustice.
