Even though it may seem that Asian American and immigrant communities are no longer experiencing the level of overt hatred, ridicule, and violence they faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, the scars left by the unprecedented surge in anti-Asian violence during that time remain deep. The short documentary Voices Against Anti-Asian Hate recounts that dark time, highlighting how the surge in anti-Asian hate crimes during the pandemic reverberated through individuals, families, and communities.
This documentary humanizes the experiences of victims and their loved ones, including the Go family, whose daughter, Michelle Go, was tragically pushed onto subway tracks; Christina Yuna Lee, who was followed and fatally stabbed in her own apartment; Michael Zhu, who was stabbed while on a routine walk near his home; and Noel Quintana, who was slashed in the face with a box cutter while riding the subway. Their personal accounts bring to light the emotional and psychological toll of these heinous attacks while raising critical questions about how we can best address and combat anti-Asian hate and violence.