More than isolated incident: Standing up to racism at home and abroad

A viral video showing Korean Twitch streamer Jinnytty being racially and sexually harassed during a livestream in Toulouse, France, has ignited international outcry. A man on a scooter struck her camera and shouted racist and misogynistic slurs before fleeing the scene. The incident, broadcast live to thousands, sparked a wave of backlash from viewers, who circulated the footage and demanded accountability even as Jinnytty expressed doubts about reporting it. In response to mounting public pressure, Toulouse’s deputy mayor issued an official statement condemning the attack and calling for firm legal consequences. The case has reignited scrutiny of persistent racism and the safety of racial minorities in public spaces internationally.

Racism against people of Asian descent in Europe is not new; it traces back to 19th-century “Yellow Peril” discourse, which portrayed Asians as inherently inferior or subordinate and threatening to Western civilization — a narrative rooted in colonial and class-based racism. While overt expressions of such prejudice have been replaced by more subtle or “aversive” forms in recent decades, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed how deeply entrenched these biases remain. The global health crisis did not create anti-Asian racism; rather, it provided a new context for it to erupt, transforming latent bias into open hostility. The harassment of Jinnytty exemplifies the racism and xenophobia faced by Asians globally through verbal and physical attacks, as well as systemic discrimination. Online, too, the pandemic served as a watershed moment, amplifying racialized misinformation at unprecedented speed and scale, motivated by fear, anxiety and the impulse to find scapegoats. What many had believed was a relic of the past resurfaced with alarming intensity, exposing the enduring and adaptable nature of racial prejudice.

Some may wonder how prejudice and discrimination against racial minorities take root and persist in society. Social identity theory offers one explanation: human beings instinctively categorize others on first encounter, relying on prior experiences — whether direct or indirect — to guide these judgments. To maintain self-esteem, we tend to assign positive attributes to our own group, while viewing out-groups with suspicion or bias. This tendency can lead to stereotyping and unequal treatment of those perceived as "other." Complementing this perspective, social dominance theory highlights the role of hierarchy and competition in reinforcing discrimination. In societies where resources, such as jobs, housing or social status, are perceived as limited, dominant groups may seek to preserve their advantage by resisting the inclusion of other communities. As a result, racial minorities are often viewed not only as outsiders, but as competitors, fueling resentment, marginalization and exclusion.

Drawing on these theories, what may appear to be one individual attacking another is part of a much more complex system. As a result, confronting racism is rarely straightforward. In a follow-up video, Jinnytty responded to someone who apologized on behalf of all French people by saying, “It’s okay … it’s just one guy.” Her response is completely understandable, especially from the perspective of a traveler trying to move on, but as community members we must be cautious not to dismiss such moments as isolated or random. Behind each act lies a larger structure that allows individuals to express racial prejudice, often without consequence.

Our silence in the face of racism, no matter how well-intentioned, can contribute to its perpetuation and compromise our own integrity. If speaking out alone feels daunting, we must stand up together. Allyship offers one pathway, when people outside the targeted group actively support those who are marginalized. In Jinnytty’s case, her online viewers acted as allies by expressing solidarity and urging French authorities to take action. These collective responses matter. We cannot afford to let moments like this slip by unchallenged.

Confronting racism requires more than public condemnation when we witness or experience it; it also demands regular critical self-examination. Prejudice often manifests in subtle and nebulous ways through implicit biases, social conditioning and everyday assumptions that go unquestioned. As racial and cultural beings, we all carry these to varying degrees, shaped by the societies we live in and the histories we inherit. Real changes begin with honest reflection on our attitudes, blind spots and complacency. This is not about guilt; it is about accountability. Jinnytty’s experience invites us to reflect not only on racism abroad but also on Korean soil. Have we made meaningful progress, or are there uncomfortable truths we prefer to overlook? Most importantly, what can we do — individually and collectively — to build a more just and inclusive society? By addressing these questions, we can foster a genuine personal and socio-cultural awakening for sustained action against racism and injustice in all its global and local forms.

Ma Kyung-hee is an editor and researcher specializing in mental health.