Hate crimes against Immigrants: Its effects on mental health and how to cope with it

Immigrants who have become victims of hate crimes do often suffer psychological distress. It is more intense than the distress of victims of other crimes. Hate crimes are often directed against an entire race, cultural group, or ethnic group. These attacks leave the individual feeling endangered in their safety and security without being able to take recourse or get help within their own group as they experience their entire group as victims. Hate crimes against one’s entire group can lead to feelings of lowered self-esteem. This especially affects younger individuals, who are still negotiating their sense of self-identity through the recognition of others; and the values that others ascribe to them.

Hate crimes are always anchored in opinions of the superiority of one group over the other. One group is devalued by another group through the attribution of negative characteristics and traits. Usually, these negative attributions are exaggerated, misconstrued, one-sided and untrue. These attributions only serve to fuel inner anger, outrage, and hatred; so the perpetrating group can justify their hatred and devaluation. The negativities are attached to the chosen victim.

They carry misguided beliefs and have the purpose to make the victim feel weak, uncertain; and afraid to stand up to them. The oppressors often ascribe danger arising to the victims and their group. They depict the victims as endangering their own existence and way of life. Oppressors are becoming aggressors based on their fears. And victims are depicted as attackers who endanger the race or group of the perpetrator. Therefore, oppressors have the right to defend themselves if they do not want to be eliminated by the victim.

Covid-19 Pandemic and increase in hate crimes against immigrants

Over two years into the pandemic, the changing world we live in has caused people to experience challenges and stress in different ways. Hate crimes and cultural divisions have increased in several western countries, including the United States and Canada, since 2020. Some of the factors behind the surge include the COVID-19 pandemic; xenophobic and racist rhetoric pushed forth inaccurately by politicians and spread through social media, and geopolitical relations. Verbal harassment, insults, jokes, violent attacks, microaggressions, and discrimination spread through social media have become a growing problem with a deleterious impact on the mental health of members of these communities.

Racism and xenophobia and how it affects mental health

Racism and xenophobia are complex issues that have serious mental health consequences for those who experience them. They can lead to anxiety, depression, insomnia, self-deprecation, and other problems. People who are victims of hate crimes, often do not know that there are resources available to assist and support them during these challenging times. They have difficulty in creating a safe environment, and often do not know how to react, where to find shelter, and how to get help. Racism and discrimination are often turned inward by the victim, the devaluation of the other is internalized, and victims may eventually look down on themselves and their own group, and even try to become part of the dominant group.

Taking care of one’s own mental health requires an understanding and acceptance of oneself, an understanding of one’s rights and values, and knowledge of how to deal with situations that are discriminatory and devaluing.

Hate crimes against Immigrants: How to help?

If you know someone who is the victim of a hate crime, whether it’s a friend, family member, coworker, or neighbor, be aware of your position and show support and solidarity for their struggle. You can accomplish this by checking in with those around you, speaking up, and taking action. It is also critical that you educate yourself. Learn about the history of discrimination against various immigrant groups; as well as the justifications used by perpetrators of for example anti-Asian hate crimes, and then share this knowledge with those around you and advocate for the struggle facing those communities and people.

The internet and social media can provide us with useful tools in today’s world. While false information can spread through social media, as seen in the inaccurate political rhetoric regarding the Covid-19 pandemic shared by some politicians, social media also provides a valuable platform to reclaim the narrative and raise public awareness and support for the struggle currently facing immigrants in countries all over the world.

Read more: Child of the World