The conversation surrounding hate crimes aimed at Asian-American/Pacific Islander (AAPI) people amplified following the horrific shooting deaths of six Asian women at the hands of a White domestic terrorist in Atlanta, Georgia on Tuesday night.
The nation is engaging in a movement to stop Asian hate—something even conservative commentator Meghan McCain of The View has amplified.
But her past statements may spoil her present action.
💔💔💔 https://t.co/jv6EIdildG— Meghan McCain (@Meghan McCain) 1615996849.0
After she shared her seemingly well-intentioned message, several influencers and other users pointed out not so long ago McCain was caught defending former President Donald Trump's hateful language.
Many pointed to the constant rhetoric from the right as a direct cause of the rise in anti-Asian hate crimes. Rhetoric like calling the viral pathogen behind the global pandemic the "China Virus", "Kung Flu" and other racist slurs.
@MeghanMcCain Really Arizona White privileged princess 👸 https://t.co/GafhKwjzVa— Jennifer Marcum (@Jennifer Marcum) 1616000069.0
@MeghanMcCain Resign, ugly. https://t.co/KmUK32XEyn— Gay5Eva (@Gay5Eva) 1616081942.0
@Neil_McNeil @MeghanMcCain Meghan McCain enabling racism and racists? https://t.co/TAsyjx3ZkM— Robert Whitted (@Robert Whitted) 1616085509.0
@MeghanMcCain How often have you condemned those who use racist slurs to associate Asian Americans with COVID-19?— Decatur Tenant Association (@Decatur Tenant Association) 1615997453.0
@MeghanMcCain You said you didn't have a problem with Trump or anyone, calling it the China virus or whatever. Do y… https://t.co/RCRuVgIICY— Karen Phillips Hyatt (@Karen Phillips Hyatt) 1616000366.0
"I agree with you that I think if the left wants to focus on P.C. labeling this virus, it is a great way to get Trump re-elected," McCain said on an early-pandemic 2020 episode of The View.
"I don't have a problem with people calling it whatever they want. It's a deadly virus that did originate in Wuhan."
@TheView better yet fire #meghanmccain for saying "when china lies, people die" last year and calling covid the chi… https://t.co/JKqULQHXAa— My360Nation (@My360Nation) 1616082188.0
@MeghanMcCain Words matter. We see you. https://t.co/YVm85QbJgs— Butchmasked (@Butchmasked) 1616074238.0
1 year ago today Meghan McCain was defending the use of China Virus https://t.co/vNocXGjXxE— Oppan Chomsky Style #freePalestine (@Oppan Chomsky Style #freePalestine) 1616083689.0
oh meghan you sad delusional creature https://t.co/ronpiI4SAA— 𝚑𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚜𝚌𝚑𝚘𝚘𝚕 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚘𝚝𝚎𝚛 (@𝚑𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚜𝚌𝚑𝚘𝚘𝚕 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚘𝚝𝚎𝚛) 1616030781.0
Dear @MeghanMcCain you sad racist bigot. Your white supremacy is showing. How sad that @TheView continues to let a… https://t.co/OGn2RImb4Q— NW Vet 🇺🇲 #WearAMask #DeathToGOP (@NW Vet 🇺🇲 #WearAMask #DeathToGOP) 1616077819.0
Though she said "That doesn't mean that we should be, in any way, stereotyping" Asian people, she still doubled down on the thought calling the virus the "China Virus" was "effective."
"I don't have a problem with it, and I think China, had they acted right away, and we had more access to information, maybe it wouldn't have gotten to the place that it is."
I find it very interesting that Meghan McCain sits there expressing her dismay at the rise of anti-Asian hate crime… https://t.co/G5qP2eJwyn— J (@J) 1616084484.0
@RawStory Meghan McCain: The hatred of Asians must stop! Also Meghan McCain: Ha Ha! China Flu! Kung Flu!! Good on… https://t.co/4Ty5EEEAv5— Got Speech? (@Got Speech?) 1616079138.0
@MeghanMcCain You a year ago. Words have consequence, Megan, time check your racism. You & all the talking heads wh… https://t.co/5Dh2nhLM5w— Colleen Shannon (@Colleen Shannon) 1616081965.0
Cc: @meghanmccain - you enabled this. https://t.co/YyayJGiJdX #firemeghanmccain #meghanmccain #theview https://t.co/LcublPZoP1— PurpleStateGal (@PurpleStateGal) 1615992906.0
McCain has not commented on her past transgression and has continued to advocate against racism toward Asian people—which, while appreciated, her critics say does not absolve her of the microaggression that contributed toward anti-Asian racism.
Hopefully, she has seen the criticism and will deal with it appropriately.