“Get over yourselves. The sensitivity of todays youth is insane and troubling.” 8 likes
“My Asian teacher and I joke about the Coronavirus all the time. Y’all just need to stop being offended by everything and feeling entitled to shut this down when your feelings are hurt. This ain’t it.” 18 likes
“Don’t like it??? Leave America” 2 likes
These are some of the few comments that are found under an Instagram post with a statement from UAlbany’s Asian American Alliance regarding a “Coronavirus party” that went viral on Instagram until it was shut down on February 17.
The statement was straight forward, it said it was “not funny and completely insensitive,” and also mentions the bad implications from this “party.”
So I have a question to those who think we’re being “sensitive”: Is this “party” funny to you because you’re not one of those Asian people who are being stereotyped with this virus? The fact that people like you don’t realize the implications this “Coronavirus party” can do, is worrying. Your privilege is showing.
You calling us sensitive is a problem. Asians stand up for themselves and people call us “sensitive?” Do you people expect any of us to shut up when you make a mockery of people dying from this virus when so many ignorant people have attacked people who look East Asian due to misinformation?
Do tell.
Aina Izham
Albany, New York
This letter-to-the-editor piece is written for AJRL475Z Opinion/Column Writing class of Spring 2020.
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