New surevey: 1-in-3 AANHPI experienced a bias incident last year; AANHPI prefer Biden Harris

Despite this year's FBI hate crime report hinting that anti-Aian hate may be dying down, ask any Asian American and they'll likely disagree. Thirty-four percent of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander adults, or 1 out of 3, report personally experiencing a hate incident in the last year.

In addition, nearly a quarter of AANHPI were verbally harassed or endured racial slurs, while one in ten was threatened with physical assault, according to the first load of information from AAPI Data / AP-NORC survey released Monday. 

Further, 16% say they were the victim of a hate crime, experiencing physical assault, property damage, or threats of assault or property damage because of their race or ethnic background. 

The results align with existing research documenting an increase in attacks targeting Asian American and Pacific Islander communities since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

"The survey reveals the alarming rate at which Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are facing racism and hate and the toll that it is taking on mental health, " says Jennifer Benz, deputy director of The AP- NORC Center. "Not only are the people who faced hate incidents or hate crimes more susceptible to anxiety, but they are also more likely to believe they will be targeted again in the future."

        FYI: Read the complete AP-NORC report.

Eighty-six percent of people from AANHPI communities say that racism is a serious problem in the United States, including 51% who say it’s very or extremely serious. 

While most rate their mental health as good or excellent, 12% are at a higher risk of struggling with chronic anxiety. Those who experienced a hate crime or incident are more prone to anxiety and more likely to anticipate further discrimination or hate

The survey also unpacks the political leanings of the racially and linguistically diverse AANHPI communities, revealing that roughly half align with the Democratic Party, slightly over a quarter with the Republican Party, and about one in five identify as independent or unaffiliated. 

Both President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are viewed more favorably than unfavorably, while majorities of AAPI adults view Republican challengers Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis unfavorably.

 In addition, more have unfavorable views of GOP Indian Americans Nikki Haley and Vivek Ramaswamy than favorable views, and a large proportion say that they don’t know enough about the two candidates (40% and 46%, respectively) to form an opinion.

“This is the first nationally representative survey that includes the views of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders about the major presidential candidates,” says Karthick Ramakrishnan, founder and director of AAPI Data.

The report is the first in a series of data about the AANHPI communities to be released by the AAPI Data/AP-NORC a media and data partnership that seeks to elevate the perspective of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) populations on some of society’s most pressing issues. The effort will address historic underrepresentation of AAPI communities in public opinion research.

 “Rather than speculate about where AAPIs stand on candidates like Nikki Haley and Vivek Ramaswamy," says Ramakrishnan, "we have timely and reliable data that we will continue to follow through the rest of the presidential primary season.”

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow me at Threads.net/eduardodiok, @DioknoEd on Twitter or at the  blog Views From the Edge.