Michigan politicians react to Biden administration s order combating racism toward Asian communities
Xenophobia, hate crimes increased amid the pandemic
President Biden has signed an executive order directing federal agencies to combat racism against Asian American communities amid the pandemic. The goal is to end xenophobia and hate crimes.
By: Syma Chowdhry
and last updated 2021-01-28 06:24:14-05
(WXYZ) â President Biden has signed an executive order directing federal agencies to combat racism against Asian American communities amid the pandemic. The goal is to end xenophobia and hate crimes.
This comes as many Michiganders speak out against comments made by Michigan Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey that many have called racist.
Several Michigan Democrats and advocacy organization blasted Shirkey for his comments.
“Referring to COVID-19 as ‘Chinese flu’ or ‘China virus’ is xenophobic and completely inappropriate. There have been more than 2,500 reports of anti-Asian hate incidents since last March, when the coronavirus pandemic was first reported in Michigan, and this language perpetuates it, state Sen. Stephanie Chang, D-Detroit, said in a portion of a statement issued last week. Honestly, we are so tired of having to repeatedly inform people of how harmful this kind of language especially from elected officials is to the community. It needs to stop.
Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich, D-Flint, responded to Shirkey s statement on Twitter.