USA TODAY
DENVER – Helen Oh was walking down the sidewalk of the downtown 16th Street pedestrian mall in April when two young men approached from the other direction.
The coronavirus pandemic had been spreading in the United States for a month, and Asian American community groups were warning of a disconcerting surge of hateful and racist language directed toward them, tied to the virus’ origins in China. Oh, an attorney, was on her guard.
The two men drew closer.
“Infected and disgusting,” one called out as they passed, she said.
Heart racing, she ducked into a drugstore.
“I didn't think to say anything back when I heard it," she said. "It really only sunk in as I was walking away."