Journal Article

Asians Unmasked

Bhattacharyya, Sriya, Nguyen, Jennifer, Ida, Dj, Namkung, Janet, Goto, Allyson, Suyemoto, Pata, Park, Ellen

2025

Overview

COVID-19 generated a health crisis and major loss of life throughout the world. Asian Americans (AA) have been uniquely impacted during this time by anti-Asian racism, at times blaming AA for the pandemic. A few years after the emergence of COVID-19, studies now show that anti-Asian violence during the pandemic opened historic wounds and exacerbated psychological legacies of trauma uniquely felt by AA. In response, a national group of interdisciplinary AA women activists developed a community-based photovoice project called Asians* Unmasked. AA in the United States submitted photographs online and shared their experiences and ideas about social change during the early months of the pandemic (March 2020 - June 2020). Participants answered three questions adapted from the photovoice SHOWeD technique about their images as they related to their COVID-19 experiences. Fifty-five ethnically diverse AA (15-78 years old) submitted 82 photos. Using a cross-case qualitative analysis, seven domains were identified: (a) life and community changes, (b) connection and isolation, (c) racism and oppression, (d) health and mental health, (e) service to others, (f) resiliency and hope, and (g) ways to change the world after COVID-19. This article intends to “bring the gallery to the academy,” and share participants’ voices, photographs, and calls for change.

• Publisher: Ball State University Center for Peace and Conflict Studies and University Libraries