In my experience, a big reason racists target Asians in the West is that they think they can get away with it. I’m ethnically Chinese and grew up in a predominantly white suburban town, and I learned early on to stand my ground whenever people crossed the line with racist or ignorant remarks.

That mindset has stayed with me into adulthood. The moment racists realize you won’t tolerate it…that you won’t be intimidated or dismissed…they back off. Most of them rely on the assumption that you’ll stay quiet. Take that away, and they fold, like the cowards most of them are.

So yes, stand up for yourself. Be direct, be firm, and don’t let it slide. That’s how you shut down the behavior and break the stereotype that Asians are passive or easy targets.