"Racism is learned," Gao said. "I don't want that stereotype to hurt anyone."
She shared her daughter's story with Jennifer Chen, a Winnipeg School Division trustee of Chinese descent who has been outspoken on anti-Asian racism.
Chen's public profile has made her a target of racism. Someone on Facebook compared Chen with Canada's top doctor, Dr. Theresa Tam, a Chinese immigrant who the individual claimed was also not loyal to Canada.
Jennifer Chen, who leads the Women of Colour Community Leadership Initiative, says Asians are sometimes reluctant to come forward with stories of racism.(Jeff Stapleton/CBC)
"It hurts especially because I'm trying so hard to do good things in the community and trying to myself address racism in the community," Chen said.