MANJUSHA KULKARNI: Even in the last few weeks and months, we’ve seen a normalizing of hate.
DIRKS: That’s Manjusha Kulkarni with Stop AAPI Hate.
KULKARNI: Kanye West has freely made antisemitic remarks. Former President Trump continues to use anti-Asian rhetoric.
DIRKS: Kulkarni says the answer isn’t really about police, it’s education, teaching kids about other cultures, about history and racism and bigotry – exactly what’s under attack in many Republican-led states right now.
KULKARNI: It’s precisely because awareness has been raised, and because news outlets are focusing on anti-Asian hate, antisemitic remarks, anti-Black actions, that these forces are there to silence it.
DIRKS: Kulkarni says accurately reporting hate crimes today is just as important as telling the truth about the history of hate.
