[9] A study by the New York University College of Arts & Science found that there was no overall increase of Anti-Asian sentiment among the American population; instead, it suggested that "already prejudiced persons" had felt authorized by the pandemic to act openly on their prejudices.

Ma’s perseverance in the face of economic hardship highlights the resilience of Chinese immigrants, as noted in Susan Haigh’s Associated Press article.

[16] His story also reflects broader systemic inequities rooted in exclusionary policies like the Chinese Exclusion Act, which institutionalized discrimination and reinforced harmful stereotypes.

Edward W. Capen’s article [17]“The Western Influence in China” further contextualizes these challenges, tracing the roots of anti-Asian prejudice to colonial exploitation during the Qing Dynasty.

These historical injustices fostered stereotypes of Chinese people as perpetual foreigners and untrustworthy laborers, shaping systemic discrimination in Western societies.