WASHINGTON, Oct 10 (Reuters) - A report released by nonprofit group Stop AAPI Hate indicates a significant increase in online hate against Americans of South Asian ancestry in 2023 and 2024, correlating with the rise of South Asian politicians in the U.S. political landscape. This trend has raised alarms as the nation approaches the 2024 elections.
The report highlights that anti-Asian hate, particularly directed at South Asians, has surged in extremist online spaces, with threats of violence reaching their peak in August 2024. This spike coincided with key political events, including the Republican National Convention featuring Usha Vance and the Democratic National Convention where Kamala Harris was declared the presidential nominee.
According to the report, South Asian communities experienced the highest volume of online hostility among Asian American subgroups, with anti-South Asian slurs doubling from approximately 23,000 in 2023 to over 46,000 by August 2024. The nonprofit attributes this rise to a toxic political environment fueled by bigoted rhetoric and disinformation from various political leaders.
With nearly 5.4 million people of South Asian descent living in the United States, the implications of this rise in online hate are significant, raising concerns about safety and representation as the political landscape evolves.