Linked Fate, Linked Hate: Is Solidarity Against Anti-Asian Hate Possible?

The most prominent Pan-Asian racial justice movement to arise during the COVID-19 pandemic, Stop AAPI Hate (SAH), emphasizes solidarity and inter-racial alliances, including with Black Lives Matter (BLM). Yet questions remain about whether this approach resonates among Asian Americans. This study uses original survey data to examine Korean and Chinese American support for SAH and BLM in the wake of heightened anti-Asian hate during the COVID-19 pandemic. We argue that experiences with discrimination affect Asian Americans’ sense of “linked fate” with other Asians and with Black Americans, and that both experiences and linked fate shape support for SAH and BLM. We present evidence that linked fate partially mediates and moderates the hate-solidarity connection. This underscores how racialized experiences activate pan-ethnic and inter-racial solidarity. The subgroup differences we document generate practical insights for activists and policymakers seeking to build inclusive coalitions.