The Dual Pandemic of 2020: Rhetorical analysis of how American COVID-19 elite messaging, enabled by the monster trope, justifies cultural violence against A/AAPI.

Author

Haley A. Hom, University of Richmond

Date of Award

4-28-2022

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Rhetoric & Comm Studies

First Advisor

Timothy Barney

Abstract

On March 16th, 2020, President Donald J. Trump posted a Tweet: “The United States will be powerfully supporting those industries, like Airline and others, that are particularly affected by the Chinese Virus. We will be stronger than ever before!” (Yam). This Tweet marked the first public and recorded instance of the term “Chinese virus”, heralding the emergence of similar referents such as “China virus,” “Wuhan virus,” and “kung flu” for COVID-19. With a single, seemingly innocuous post, Trump opened the floodgates for an outpouring of hatred and blame pointed towards anyone perceived as an A/AAPI.

Recommended Citation

Hom, Haley A., "The Dual Pandemic of 2020: Rhetorical analysis of how American COVID-19 elite messaging, enabled by the monster trope, justifies cultural violence against A/AAPI." (2022). Honors Theses. 1617.
https://scholarship.richmond.edu/honors-theses/1617