The Yeah Yeah Yeahs vocalist, whose mother is Korean, has voiced her criticism at the reference and other prejudiced comments aimed at Asians during the ongoing pandemic.
- March 25, 2020
AceShowbiz - Singer Karen O has pleaded with America's leaders to stop calling Covid-19 the "Chinese Virus" as the label is causing anti-Asian racism.
As the coronavirus originated in China late last year (2019), before spreading across the world, several right-wing U.S. politicians and commentators, including President Donald Trump, have been repeating the term.
However, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs vocalist, whose mother is Korean, has criticised the reference and other prejudiced comments aimed at Asians during the pandemic, promising to "stand behind" Asians experiencing increased racism.
"As a member of the Asian American community I stand behind Asians around the world who are experiencing racism in the wake of the Coronavirus, and hatred and violence are only encouraged when people in positions of power refer to it as the 'Chinese Virus'," she wrote on Instagram, alongside a video of herself wearing a T-shirt reading "Phenomenally Asian".
Continuing with a message of unity, she added: "Let's call it what it is, a global pandemic, and let's unify in support of our @phenomenal Asian community when others in leadership are unwilling to do so. Be kind, wash your hands, and stay strong."
Worldwide cases of the virus exceeded 410,000 on Tuesday, March 24, with more than 18,500 dying after contracting the virus.
