Although the focus of SMART Labs @ Wayne has typically been on social media, interpersonal interaction, and relationships, like many researchers our focus has shifted toward the increase in online hate during the COVID-19 pandemic. Though our popular media has reported diligently on the rising coronavirus infection rates, death toll, and financial effects, one "social stressor" that has seen comparatively less attention is increasing discrimination and harassment of Asian Americans. The origination of the coronavirus in Wuhan, China has led to a xenophobic response here in America. In the short period from March 19 to April 1, 2020, an astounding 1,135 harassment complaints were reported to the Asian Pacific Policy & Planning Council—an increase of 67.3% in verbal harassment and 10% in physical assault. Such numbers reflect the current vilification of Asians in America, whom many blame as the cause of the coronavirus.

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As social media scholars, our attention was drawn to the hate speech that started appearing online in the early stages of the pandemic. Reports from March 2020 indicated that anti-Chinese hate speech on Twitter has skyrocketed, estimating a staggering 900% increase. Over 80,000 tweets containing phrases like "Chink Virus," "Gook Flu," and "#KungFlu" reflect how easily racial slurs can be posted and disseminated via social media. President Trump's use of the term "Chinese Virus" to describe the coronavirus---a naming tactic that is explicitly discouraged by the World Health Organization---indicates how such rhetoric is becoming normalized as a way for Americans to deal with their mounting pandemic fear by blaming a foreign enemy.

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