Stop Asian Hate: Durable Political Efficacy from Crisis?

The Stop Asian Hate Movement emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic as a pivotal moment of Asian American social resistance and activism. This study examines the movement as a form of Asian American solidarity forged through racialized crisis, assessing whether that solidarity can be translated into a sustained sense of political efficacy. It begins with a brief account of the Asian American experience, contextualizing political development and barriers to participation. The analysis then turns to the Asian American Movement (AAM) of the late 1960s and 1970s, highlighting instances of Asian social and racial resistance in the face of traditional obstacles. From these dynamics arises the central question: Can crisis-generated solidarity in the context of COVID-19 be translated into durable political efficacy for Asian Americans? To address this, the study engages with existing literature on solidarity, political efficacy, political crisis, and social movements. The analysis of the Stop Asian Hate movement identifies preceding contextual elements to assess specific mechanisms of political and social mobilization. In evaluating the potential for lasting political efficacy, the decline of the AAM is revisited to highlight key similarities, differences, and lessons that may illuminate viable paths toward enduring political empowerment for contemporary Asian Americans.