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Salon: Republican Sen. John Cornyn defends Trump's racist coronavirus comments with more racism
Salon - Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, added to fuel to the fire when he tried to defend President Donald Trump and other Republicans who use the racist term “Chinese virus” to refer to COVID-19.
The senator mounted a defense based on another racist claim: that China deserves blame for the coronavirus, because its citizens purportedly eat bats and dogs. . . .
Margaret Fung, executive director of the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund, criticized Cornyn’s remarks as dangerous.
“Sen. Cornyn is perpetuating false stereotypes about Chinese people and the foods they purportedly eat,” Fung told Salon by email. “His misleading words could result in more Asian Americans being targeted for racist harassment and violence by those who blame China for the coronavirus.”
She added, “Asian Americans are the fastest growing racial group in Texas, numbering over 1.4 million. Sen Cornyn should demonstrate more concern for the safety of his Asian American constituents and stop distracting people from the public health crisis that affects all Americans, regardless of their race.”