Some of Hollywood’s most prominent stars have been calling out the anti-Asian racism that has become standardized due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The coronavirus outbreak began late last year in Wuhan, China, and has since spread to far-reaching corners of the world. Since the coronavirus began to spread throughout the world, many have been using the outbreak as an excuse to attack Asian folks, particularly those of Chinese descent. In recent days, President Trump has been adamant on calling the coronavirus the “Chinese virus” as opposed to COVID-19, the term coined by the scientific community. As things have become more heated stateside, many Hollywood stars have taken a stand against those who believe racism is the solution to combating the novel coronavirus.
Henry Golding, star of Guy Ritchie’s The Gentlemen and the upcoming Snake Eyes film, took to Twitter to share how moot it is to be racist in a time that requires solidarity.
Using dangerous rhetoric to incite racism isn't what is needed right now. The virus really doesn't care where you come from, it is unbiased to all. Stand up for each other in these dark times, it's the only way we are going to make it out the other end. Stay safe ❤️
— Henry Golding (@henrygolding) March 20, 2020
Joey King, best known for playing the young Talia al Ghul in flashbacks in The Dark Knight Rises, subtly called out President Trump by reminding fans on Twitter that the virus should be referred to by its scientific name.
This virus is not an excuse for racism. You do not get to call it a “Chinese virus” or a “China virus” that’s verbal abuse to Chinese people across the globe. It is called Covid-19 or coronavirus. Those are the medical terms for this virus. And that’s all we should be calling it
— Joey King (@JoeyKing) March 18, 2020
Lost star Daniel Dae Kim, who was recently diagnosed with the coronavirus, made a note to point out how inappropriate and cruel the rhetoric has been in the past few weeks against Asian-Americans.
And though we keep doing our best to demonize each other, the #coronavirus doesn’t care what race, gender, religion or sexuality we are. Ironically, it knows better than we do a lesson I wish we could all learn, once and for all: that we are all human. We are all one.
— Daniel Dae Kim (@danieldaekim) March 15, 2020
To All The Boys I’ve Loved star Lana Condor, who plays the breakout character Lara Jean, shared a message on Twitter highlighting how dangerous it is to call out Asian individuals in a time that is, frankly, disturbing for everyone.
? Be better. To wake up to your chaos is truly a nightmare. Please. Be better. ? To my followers- be safe. I love you. pic.twitter.com/Okbg735cQC
— Lana Condor (@lanacondor) March 18, 2020
Chloe Bennet, best known for playing Daisy Johnson in Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. on ABC, shared a heartfelt message on Instagram to extend a warm hand of solidarity towards those who have been marginalized and racially affected by the coronavirus outbreak.
It’s quite a harrowing time for everyone around the world, especially Asian folks who have to deal with such toxicity on a daily basis because of the coronavirus outbreak. Hopefully, we can all learn a positive lesson from some of the Hollywood celebrities in accepting one another.
