A United Front
Tatler Malaysia|August 2021
At a moment when the world is finally celebrating racial diversity, violence against Asians during the pandemic has nullified all progress in one fell swoop. Where did we go wrong?
Zabrina Lo. Portraits
A United Front

It was just another spring day in New York City. Hardly had Viveca Chow Hung-ka, a Hong Kong-born and raised Broadway musical actress, stepped onto the subway platform when she heard someone calling: “Chinese girl, Chinese girl, hey! Chinese girl.” She stepped into the crowd, seeking safety in numbers, but her tormentor, a woman brandishing a cane as if it were a weapon, followed her.

“She could have pushed me in front of the train or hurt me with her cane,” Chow recalls thinking. “I analyzed my situation: do I confront her, or do I make peace and get out of this alive?” Not even two months later, Chow and her boyfriend Matthew Poon experienced a similar confrontation in the subway when a hooded man stared at them with open hostility for six minutes. “I grabbed my pepper spray so fast and held it,” Chow says. When she discussed the incidents with her parents in Hong Kong, she says, “their immediate reaction was asking me to put on make-up to hide my Asian face, because I’d be safer if I were white”. Chow was shocked. “There was so much shame in that sentence, where we couldn’t even be who we were because we might get killed for our skin colour,” she says. “These people could punch or kick me. They could have a gun. That is what is so scary about America.”

Bu hikaye Tatler Malaysia dergisinin August 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Tatler Malaysia dergisinin August 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

TATLER MALAYSIA DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
How Working Out Transforms Your Skin
Tatler Malaysia

How Working Out Transforms Your Skin

When we think about the benefits of exercise, glowing skin might not be the first thing that comes to mind. That said, getting that sweat going is not only great for your body but also an absolute game-changer for your skin

time-read
2 dak  |
November 2024
Mane Attraction
Tatler Malaysia

Mane Attraction

Dr Chang Chee Seong of Kaiteki Clinic shares his expert insights on hair loss, from the most common causes to cutting-edge solutions and what to expect on the journey of hair recovery

time-read
3 dak  |
November 2024
Body Manscaping
Tatler Malaysia

Body Manscaping

Discover the entrepreneurial journey of Jared Chuah, cofounder of Nateskin, and how this Malaysian brand is breaking taboos around men's grooming, particularly below the belt

time-read
4 dak  |
November 2024
Skin Superfoods
Tatler Malaysia

Skin Superfoods

Glow from within with these six ingredients that are good for your complexion

time-read
1 min  |
November 2024
Elevated Wellness
Tatler Malaysia

Elevated Wellness

Discover Amani Biohacking Club: Malaysia's first biohacking society for optimal leadership and life balance

time-read
3 dak  |
November 2024
The Dior Warrior
Tatler Malaysia

The Dior Warrior

Drawing inspiration from the world of sports and the strength of female Amazonian warriors, Maria Grazia Chiuri redefines empowered femininity as something both graceful and formidable for Dior's spring-summer 2025 collection

time-read
2 dak  |
November 2024
ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL - MALAYSIA
Tatler Malaysia

ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL - MALAYSIA

Meet the country's most influential individuals: 100 prominent figures who are changing the landscape in Malaysia across industries in our main categories, from business and STEM, to social impact and culture.

time-read
3 dak  |
November 2024
Innovating with Purpose
Tatler Malaysia

Innovating with Purpose

Chor Chee Hoe, co-founder of Qarbotech, talks about how carbon-based innovations are changing the face of farming and ensuring a greener, more productive future

time-read
4 dak  |
November 2024
Grounded Vision
Tatler Malaysia

Grounded Vision

Minister of housing and local government, Nga Kor Ming shares the personal experiences and guiding principles that have shaped him, revealing the thoughtful man behind politician

time-read
4 dak  |
November 2024
Raising Penang's Bar
Tatler Malaysia

Raising Penang's Bar

Backdoor Bodega's Koh Yung Shen is elevating Penang's bar scene with Penang Cocktail Week

time-read
4 dak  |
November 2024