Aiesha Wong
Head of Graphic Design and Illustration Division, GALPAL

As an Asian woman, I am of the view that we are entering a new age of racism. While overt acts of racism still remain (attacking minorities, using slurs, etc), I believe that racist actions have started more often than not to be sneakily justified under the guise of being some form of appreciation or positive intention. Black-fishing, race-baiting and race fetishisation are often slower to be condemned as morally reprehensible. That definitely needs to change.

As we evolve as a society, it’s more important now than ever to realise that racism has taken on a different, more hidden shape. We need to teach ourselves how to identify that. In addition, throughout the pandemic, there has also been a rise in performative anti-racism. While reposting info-graphics and sharing stories may seem to be a good thing, the issue arises when individuals think that is all they have to do.

So while it came from good intentions, I can personally say that the culture of Instagram-politics – reposting liberal political views into the echo-chamber that is Instagram – doesn’t help any more. Despite all of this, I do believe Ireland is moving towards a more open and accepting political climate. Long may this continue into the future.

Read Part 2 of 100 Voices: #AllAgainstRacism in Hot Press:

Special thanks to the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission for their support in this project.