Naomi Osaka takes to social media to criticize racism towards Asian community

Japanese top seed Naomi Osaka showed her resolute position on anti-racism by recently using Twitter to criticize those who blame COVID-19 on the Asian community.

Osaka said the racism toward the Asian people concerns her as it shows a lack of social respect.

“The fact that this issue is not very broadly covered makes me concerned. I only noticed videos and information because I was browsing through my IG feed and by some algorithm it showed up,” said Osaka on Twitter.

She said that catch phrases such as “Ching Chong” and “shrimp fried rice” that are frequently used to mimic Asian people are not pleasant banter, and that people who make such jokes are “pitiful.”

“She is really brave. I’m sure this isn’t the 1st time I’ve heard her adopt such an anti-racism position. I’ll be on her side as all the time,” said a netizen on Sina Weibo.

“I like her forthrightness and I think she has done a great job to touch on a subject that people have a propensity to ignore,” said another.

Naomi Osaka’s words were backed up by netizens on China’s social media platform – Sina Weibo. Some pointed out that an increasing number of personalities in the entertainment and sports industries are taking a position against racism toward the Asian community.

“This makes me reminiscent of the two Daniels giving money as a reward,” said a netizen on Weibo, referring to actors Daniel Wu and Daniel Dae Kim who donated a total of US$25,000 as a reward for evidence about an episode in which a 91-year-old Asian-looking man was pushed over by a disguised man in Oakland’s Chinatown district.

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“Famous celebrities such as Daniel Wu are closer to the public. If they can convey such a positive message, it could prevent such discrimination,” said another.

Osaka’s mother is Japanese and her father is Haitian. She has been active in fighting for ethnic egalitarianism and rejecting social bigotry.

Naomi Osaka is currently in Melbourne and has been top of her form at the ongoing 2021 Australian Open.

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