United States: CNN correspondent Amara Walker encountered three racist attacks within a single hour.
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November 5, 2020 – CNN anchor Amara Walker faced three racist attacks within an hour at New Orleans International Airport following her two-day coverage of Hurricane Zeta. The Coalition For Women In Journalism is devastated by the appalling discrimination Amara had to endure. The CFWIJ emphasizes that racism carries harmful consequences not only for journalists, but for each and every person it affects around the world. We must raise awareness of equality, dignity and diversity for all.
Amara experienced these racially charged harassment while travelling home on October 30, 2020 following her coverage of Hurricane Zeta along the Gulf Coast. Amara shared a tweet thread on her account, describing the incidents at the airport. She quoted that “I hate that I have to say this. But I belong. We Asian Americans belong. I was born & raised in the U.S. I am as American as apple pie & I am as American as Korean barbecue. I am American. Please don’t question me about that fact. Ever.”
I hate that I have to say this.
— Amara Walker (@AmaraCNN) October 30, 2020
But I belong. We Asian Americans belong. I was born & raised in the U.S. I am as American as apple pie & I am as American as Korean barbecue. I am American. Please don’t question me about that fact. Ever. (15/15)
On the thread, Amara exposed the discrimination that she faced in such a short period of time. In the first incident she recounted that upon entering the airport, a man approached her and said “Ni Hao. Ching Chong.” She explained that ‘Ni hao’ means hello in Chinese, while “Ching Chong” is a racial slur that Asian Americans have been subjected to for decades.
then said to me “Ni Hao. Ching Chong.” Ni hao means hello in Chinese. “Ching Chong” is a racial slur that has been used to mock us, Asian Americans for many decades. It brought me back to the days at my elementary school playground, (3/15)
— Amara Walker (@AmaraCNN) October 30, 2020
In the second, Amara was approached and questioned by a man, asking whether she spoke English or not. As the altercation became increasingly hostile, Amara’s producer called airport security. Upon his arrival, the officer defended the encounter with an aggressive explanation of how asking a person what language they speak is not a racist attack. The officer intimidated Amara and her producer for simply speaking out.
Talking to CNN, Amara said that “It is not about me because Asian Americans across the country deal with it on a regular basis and many Asian Americans don’t raise their voices including myself. I probably wouldn’t have written about this if this wasn’t so egregious and this is why I am speaking out, normally I am a private person but I want to be that voice.”
Racism continues to affect Asian Americans in the United States. Since the onslaught of the Covid-19 pandemic, President Trump’s divisive rhetoric has fuelled this pervasive harassment and discrimination. CBS reporter Weijia Jiang recently faced a similar racist encounter from Trump himself as she was questioning him about the government’s measures for controlling the pandemic.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is devastated by the racist attacks Amara faced and follows these incidents very closely. We appreciate Amara Walker for raising awareness of the importance of equality, dignity and diversity and we stand in solidarity.
