Chinese-American documentary filmmaker Zhou Min has dedicated her work to exploring the history of Chinese Americans, a story that stretches from the 1850s to World War II, covering roughly 150 years. She highlights a crucial aspect of this narrative: the ongoing oppression and discrimination that Asian Americans have faced. “While the history of Chinese Americans may seem relatively short, spanning about 150 to 170 years, it has played a pivotal role in shaping the United States,” Zhou explains. “Unfortunately, a lot of this contribution tends to be overlooked. As a community, Chinese Americans have endured more discrimination and oppression compared to many other ethnic groups, and the current challenges facing the broader Asian community are even more acute.”
During the three years marked by the pandemic, Zhou kept a close eye on the unjust treatment of Chinese Americans, documenting these experiences along the way. “The phrase ‘China Virus’ originated from the highest levels of government,” she asserts. “It’s derogatory, and it has caused significant harm to the Chinese community. We saw a dramatic spike in anti-Asian incidents during this time. I captured footage of a major anti-Asian hate demonstration in the Bay Area and created a music video called ‘Hate is Virus,’ featuring a compelling song by a Chinese American musician from New York.”
Reflecting on the protests, Zhou shares, “It was incredibly moving to witness individuals from diverse backgrounds coming together. They marched through Chinatown, unified in chanting ‘Hate is Virus.’ That’s the vision I have for our country—where no one is made to feel inferior because of their race or background.”
Zhou believes that self-reflection is essential within Chinese culture to combat the rising anti-Asian sentiment. “Historically, Chinese Americans have often been the ‘voiceless,’ which has led to a culture of silence,” she notes. “It’s critical for us to establish a presence in politics and media to ensure our voices resonate in the halls of power, from the White House to local governments. Promoting the development of Chinese culture through various art forms is essential, especially when faced with historical misrepresentations.”
She points out that changing over a century of stereotypes requires a collective effort. “This kind of transformation is not something that one person or one generation can accomplish alone,” she says. “While one individual may find personal comfort, that does little to uplift the entire community. We need to be organized and empowered so that we’re not scapegoated in times of crisis. With elections on the horizon, I hope to see greater representation of Chinese Americans in politics.”
Zhou draws parallels between the Chinese community and other ethnic groups, such as the Irish, who also contributed significantly to building infrastructure like American railroads but no longer face discrimination. She reflects on the ongoing struggles of African Americans in their pursuit of civil rights. “The Chinese community might not have a singular figure like Martin Luther King Jr.; perhaps we need many voices like his to bring about real change.”
