The Canadian Anthropology Society (CASCA) condemns anti-Asian hate in Canada and recognizes that it is embedded in white supremacy, xenophobia, and often misogyny.

Specifically, we would like to extend our condolences to the families and loved ones of the eight people, six of whom were women of Asian descent, who lost their lives in an act of white supremacy and terrorism in the United States. CASCA acknowledges that anti-Asian hate, racism, and discrimination have a long and deadly history in Canada including Japanese Canadian Internment and targeted immigration policies such as the Chinese Canadian Head Tax and the continuous journey regulation that led to the expulsion of passengers aboard the Komagata Maru. These policies legitimized future and ongoing racist ideologies in which Asian-Canadians and newcomers have been targeted and scapegoated during times of crisis.

We also recognize that all forms of racism are gendered and that anti-Asian racism traffics in overtly misogynistic and objectifying tropes of Asian women which work to legitimize the exploitation of Asian women’s sexuality and labour. In the past year, community groups, Statistics Canada, and police forces have reported a massive surge in anti-Asian violence and discrimination in Canada.

As anthropologists, it is our responsibility to identify and speak against systemic racism, racialized violence, and hate. Through our teaching and research, we pledge to work each day to foster a community of inclusiveness, respect, and solidarity among our members and with the broader community.