"I Don't Think It Can Solve Any Problems": Chinese International Students' Perceptions of Racial Justice Movements During COVID-19

• In Event: In Their Words, on Their Terms: Undergraduate Students of Color Navigating the Ivory Tower

Abstract

This paper examines how Chinese students perceived US racial justice movements, such as Black Lives Matter and Stop Asian Hate protests, given the sociopolitical context of US-China geopolitical tensions, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the surging tides of anti-Asian racism. Through semi-structured interviews and follow-up exchanges, this paper argues that Chinese students’ understanding of grassroots movements is jointly shaped by their political socialization in mainland China and by their observation of the U.S.’ lack of explicit action to dismantle racism and discrimination. Both of these are in turn mediated by these students’ elite social status. The research further indicates that, despite being racialized in the United States, Chinese students do not show much interest in fighting against racism and xenophobia.

Author

• Jing Yu, University of Wisconsin - Madison
  Presenting Author