AANHPI applaud President Biden's State of the Union

Asian Americans and Pacific Islander leaders and organizations praised President Biden's first State of the Union address even though AAPIs barely got a mention.

In his hour-long address, Biden made two things clear: ending violence against Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, and fighting for voting rights remain high priorities for this administration.

As part of his domestic priorities and achievements, in his address to the combined houses of Congress, President Biden stated:

“While it often appears that we never agree, that isn’t true. I signed 80 bipartisan bills into law last year. From preventing government shutdowns to protecting Asian Americans from still-too-common hate crimes to reforming military justice.”

Despite media tendency to focus on what Biden didn't accomplish in his first year in office, the President reminded the audience that Congress was able to pass 80 bipartisan bills including those for infrastructure funding and helped create thousands of new jobs as the economy recovers from Trump administration policies.

“Tonight, President Biden laid out his vision to build a better America for all of us," said Rep. Judy Chu D-27, Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC).  "This is especially important for the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities that have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.

READ the complete State of the Union.

"We need to help AAPI families get back to work and back on their feet and that is precisely what the President detailed tonight. For starters, the pandemic exposed the deep inequalities in these communities, especially when it comes to healthcare," said Chu. "That is why I’m so grateful to the President for his plans to keep the costs of prescription drugs down, extend the Child Tax Credit, and ensure affordable housing, all three of which are areas where AAPI families were hit the hardest over the past year."

Chu outlined the issues important tot he AAPI communities, including: a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, TPS (temporary protective status) visa holders, farm workers and essential workers, and strengthening the US economy.

"I appreciate the President continuing to speak out about the ongoing plague of anti-Asian violence in our country which has led to over 10,000 anti-Asian hate incidents since the start of the pandemic alone," continued Chu. "Thanks to President Biden, the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act is now signed into law."

“Anti-Asian hate has existed long before COVID-19, but the ongoing pandemic has exacerbated discrimination and violence towards AAPIs to dangerous levels. We were pleased when President Biden signed the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act into law last year, and reauthorized the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders."

President Biden reasserted yesterday his commitment to protecting democracy and securing our communities’ ability to vote – no matter what," said Christine Chen,  Executive Director of Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote. "The fight for our voting rights is not over, and we appreciate that the President agrees.”

“The voting rights of every American, including AAPIs, must remain top of mind in 2022 and beyond; there is a lot of work to be done. We look forward to working with the President and his administration to ensure that this promise is fulfilled.”

"Despite the several challenges presented to the United States since he took office, we are pleased that our communities’ livelihood and our freedom to vote are at the forefront of his agenda.”

OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates’ Executive Director Thu Nguyen said that the Biden's brief but historic nod to AAPI communities is important 

“Since day one, the Biden-Harris administration has worked to earn the trust of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander families, and their support is especially meaningful as our communities continue to combat tragic violence and pandemic health disparities," said Nguyen. "In less than a year, the president appointed a senior White House AANHPI community liaison, expanded the White House Initiative on AANHPIs, and signed the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act into law." 

“The Biden-Harris administration has continuously put racial equity at the forefront of its policies, and we are encouraged to see the investments to ensure every community has access to the resources and tools to address our collective challenges, from COVID-19 to hate incidents to the cancer moonshot," said Juliet K. Choi, president and CEO of the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum.

“We are inspired by President Biden’s vision for a better, healthier America, and look forward to continuing progress toward equity and justice,” she concluded.

“President Biden’s vision for America is in stark contrast to the previous Administration, which actively undermined the health and wellbeing of Southeast Asian Americans," said Quyên Đinh, Executive Director of Southeast Asian Resource Action Center (SEARAC).

"The President’s emphasis on parity between physical and mental health would help Southeast Asians who continue to struggle with trauma from the war, the ensuing generational trauma that lingers in our communities, and mental harm from increased anti-Asian violence," continued Dinh. 

"Holistic, well-funded health resources for Southeast Asian Americans that address the concerns of all community members – from increased access to mental health services for students, to support for older adults and those who are care for them – are essential to our community’s success in society, especially as we navigate the twin pandemics of COVID-19 and anti-Asian hate"

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The President's SOTU started out strong out of the gate in his opening comments of the Ukraine war and introduced Ukraine's ambassador to the U.S. Oksana Markarova, who received a bipartisan, strong and extended round of applause, as she held one hand over her heart and a miniature Ukraine flag in the other hand.

Biden also made history as he opened his speech with: "Madam Speaker, Madam Vice President ..." addressing the two women, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Kamala Harris, who sat behind him as he spoke.

“Tonight President Biden not only reaffirmed his commitment to lowering costs for families, but also to ensuring that every single Americans’ voice is heard at the ballot box," said Hawaii Sen. Mazie Hirono. "Meanwhile, Republicans have passed dozens of bills across the country with the clear intention of making it harder for people to vote—people of color in particular.

“Despite Republican efforts, under President Biden’s leadership, Democrats will not stop fighting to improve the lives of every person in this country, including people of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, immigrants and undocumented people. President Biden laid out his plan tonight of building a better America."

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AAPI perspective, follow me on Twitter @DioknoEd.