STAATUS Index: Being AAPI is hard; we're never American enough

Its bad enough that Americans of all ethnicities have a hard time categorizing and recognizing  Asian American issues and individuals, but Filipino Americans fare even worse.

When asked to name a famous Asian American, only 2% of respondents could name Kamala Harris, who ran for President in 2024 and whose ads and news stories and photos were plastered all over media almost 24/7 for almost six months prior to the election.

Two Filipino American entertainers didn't even register a blip: Bruno Mars, whose sold-out  concerts draw hundreds of thousands of fans; and Olivia Rodrigo, who recently hosted Saturday Night Live and whose records run No. 1 on the Billboard charts for weeks on end.

The 2026 Social Tracking of Asian Americans in the US (STAATUS) Index from The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) reveals Americans are divided on AAPI belonging, with 40% questioning the loyalty of Asian Americans to the US (doubling since 2021) and many viewing them as "perpetual foreigners," despite high marks for being hardworking. While 82% place Asian Americans in the top half of the social ladder, only 7% believe they hold "a great deal" of cultural influence.

“Despite our community’s growing power, a significant share of the public is still forming views about America’s fastest-growing racial group with no direct connection or information, said Norman Chen, CEO of TAAF. "This helps to explain the perception gaps that run throughout this report, and has real consequences for our community’s future.”

What it means to be 'American'

The "Loyalty Gap" is perhaps the most stinging revelation in the latest STAATUS Index, serving as a cold reminder that for many in this country, our citizenship comes with an asterisk. 

It’s the statistical proof of a feeling many AAPI folks know in their bones: no matter how long we’ve been here, we are still seen as guests who might leave—or turn—at any moment.

There is a disturbing surge in distrust that should alarm anyone who believes in the American promise. A staggering 40% of Americans now believe that Asian Americans are more loyal to their ancestral homelands than to the United States. This isn't just a baseline level of prejudice; it’s a sentiment that has nearly doubled since 2021, proving that the "perpetual foreigner" trope is being weaponized with renewed vigor in the current political climate.

This surge isn't happening in a vacuum, as the data shows a direct link to the temperature of global politics. The gap is widest among those who view foreign nations, particularly China, as an existential threat to the US In the minds of many, every AAPI neighbor becomes a proxy for a foreign government, turning geopolitical tensions into a personal tax on our sense of belonging and safety.

FYI: Download the full report

The gap also exposes a fundamental disagreement over what it even means to be "truly American." While half of the general public still clings to US birth as the ultimate litmus test for identity, the vast majority of AAPI individuals — especially the younger generation — rightfully reject that narrow definition. This creates a social friction where AAPI citizens feel forced to exhibit "hyper-patriotism" just to be viewed as equal stakeholders in their own country.

Perhaps most disconcerting is the disconnect between how we see ourselves and how the public sees us. 

The US public is divided over who counts as "truly American." As the Supreme Court weighs challenges to birthright citizenship, half of US adults say being born in the US is important to being truly American, while 77% of AAPIs say it is not. AAPIs are also more likely than other groups to rate being white (93%) or being a Christian (84%) as unimportant to American identity.

While the vast majority of AAPI individuals view themselves as fully and proudly American, they are living in a society where their loyalty is treated as a subject of open debate. This "loyalty tax" creates a baseline of psychological exhaustion, leaving many to wonder if the goalposts for "belonging" will simply keep moving further out of reach.

Views of AAPI status differ sharply by race and ethnicity. White Americans see the "model minority" and view the status of Asian Americans in US society as more similar to white people (64%) than to people of color (31%), but most AAPI say "uh-uh" to the harmful stereotype and agree with Black, and Hispanic adults. Nearly 3 in 4 AAPIs (74%) see the status of their own racial group as more similar to people of color than to white people.

Perpetual foreigner

Accordinrg to the latest STAATUS Index, the "perpetual foreigner" trope isn't just alive and well in America — it’s actually gaining steam. Despite decades of contributions to the cultural and economic fabric of this country, the data shows a troubling disconnect in how our neighbors see us.

The numbers tell a story of a community that is respected for its labor but doubted for its loyalty. A staggering 40% of Americans now believe that Asian Americans are more loyal to their ancestral homelands than to the U.S. This isn't just a slight increase; it’s a figure that has nearly doubled since 2021, suggesting that the political climate and global tensions are hitting home in a very personal way for the AAPI community.

While most Americans (82%) are quick to place us on the upper rungs of the social ladder—buying into that tired "model minority" narrative—they aren't exactly seeing us as leaders or cultural movers. Nearly half of the country says Asian Americans have little to no influence on U.S. culture. Even more telling? Almost 50% of people surveyed couldn't name a single famous Asian American. It’s hard to feel like you belong when you’re essentially invisible in the public eye.

The internal toll of this perception is heavy. While the outside world sees "reliable" and "respectful" workers, the AAPI community is living with a baseline of fear. One in three reported experiencing a hate incident in the last year, and 63% say they feel unsafe in their daily lives. 

We are stuck between being viewed as high-achieving "super-citizens" and suspicious outsiders, a duality that leaves many wondering if they will ever truly be seen as "American enough."

Republican-leaning respondents are more likely to express skepticism about AAPI loyalty. This is often tied to "traditional" views of American identity that prioritize birthright and assimilation.

Meanwhile, Democrat-leaning respondents generally score lower on the "loyalty gap" scale but are also more likely to express frustration with the lack of AAPI representation in leadership, highlighting a different kind of political disconnect.

Hate and safety

The STAATUS Index isn't just a collection of data points; it’s a mirror reflecting a harsh reality for Asian Americans. For those of us keeping watch, the latest findings confirm what many in the community feel every time they walk out the door: the shadow of hate hasn't faded.

According to the latest reports from The Asian American Foundation (TAAF), nearly 1 in 2 Asian Americans say they feel unsafe in this country simply because of their race or ethnicity. This isn't a "post-pandemic" recovery; it’s a persistent state of anxiety.

 While the headlines may have moved on, the verbal abuse, racial slurs, and physical threats have not.

The numbers tell a story of a community under pressure. Half of the AAPI community reports feeling unsafe in public spaces. Whether it’s a subway platform or a neighborhood park, that sense of security remains shattered.

Nearly 3 in 10 Asian Americans reported being verbally harassed or abused in the last year. It’s the low-level, constant hum of hostility that defines the daily experience for many.

The Foreigner Trope: The "perpetual foreigner" myth is still alive and kicking. A staggering 40% of Americans still believe Asian Americans are more loyal to their ancestral homelands than to the US.

As tensions between the US and China simmer, it’s Asian Americans who pay the price. The index shows a direct link between political rhetoric and the distrust or "threat" perceived by the general public.

What the STAATUS Index reveals is a profound lack of belonging. For women and the younger generation especially, the "American Dream" is being taxed by a climate of suspicion. We aren't just looking at statistics; we're looking at a community being told, day after day, that they don't quite fit in.

The 2024 and 2025 reports serve as a wake-up call. Awareness might be up, but the reality on the ground — the harassment in our streets and the bias in our systems—proves that the fight for safety and visibility is far from over.

Generational divide

The report notes that 32% of Americans believe AAPI have gained influence in the last five years, with younger Americans (Gen Z) more likely to recognize this shift.

According to the TAAF-sponsored report, there is a sharp generational divide in how Americans define belonging, while the workplace remains a site of "invisible" barriers for AAPI professionals.

The report highlights that Gen Z is leading a shift away from traditional definitions of American identity. Only 23% of Gen Z AAPI respondents believe that being born in the U.S. is essential to being "truly American," compared to 50% of the general public.

This younger cohort is also significantly more likely to recognize AAPI cultural influence in the US, likely due to the rise of AAPI representation in digital media, music, and food. However, Gen Z AAPI individuals also report higher levels of loneliness and a sense of "not belonging" compared to their older counterparts, suggesting that increased visibility has not yet translated into social security.

Bamboo ceiling

Regarding the "bamboo ceiling," the data confirms that stereotypes continue to stall career advancement for AAPI, except for South Asian Americans.

While East and South Asian Americans are rated highly for traits like being "reliable," "respectful," and "hardworking," they receive significantly lower scores for "assertiveness" and "charisma"—traits typically associated with leadership in American corporate culture.

South Asians are more often perceived as more "vocal" or "assertive" than East Asians, which has led to higher representation in certain C-suite roles (e.g., Silicon Valley CEOs).

However, even though aggressiveness is admired among white workers, South Asians who exhibit this trait are viewed as "abrasive" or "difficult to work with" when they do exhibit leadership traits. While they may break the "bamboo ceiling" more often than East Asians, they face a higher "likability penalty" in corporate environments.

This "likability vs. leadership" gap remains a primary driver of the glass ceiling for AAPI workers. Furthermore, while 82% of Americans view AAPI people as being on the upper half of the social ladder, this perception of "success" often masks the lack of actual decision-making power and representation in the C-suite.

View from the Edge

Asian Americans are more worried (44%) than other ethnic groups about the state of the country, Trump and the future, according to the STAATUS survey.

Worry is more top of mind for AAPIs than for other groups. When asked how they feel about life right now, Americans overall most often say hopeful (48%), including white (50%), Black (53%), and Hispanic (44%) adults. AAPIs are the only racial or ethnic group for whom worry (44%) outranks hope (40%).

It is a sad state of affairs that after centuries of being in this country contributing to its culture, technology, economy and medical advancements, the results still shows how much most nonAsian Americans don't know about AAPI people.

However, there is a ray of hope.

The barriers to understanding aren’t just about bias—they’re also about awareness. Most of the American public lacks relationships with Asian Americans, and more than half can’t name a single significant moment in Asian American history. But the data also points to something hopeful: Americans are open to engagement

Engagement also happens out in the community. When asked what would encourage them to visit ethnic neighborhoods like Chinatowns, Manilatowns, Little Indias, Koreatowns, and Little Saigons more often, Americans point to practical draws: More events and local business promotion (40%), new and interesting businesses (32%), and more affordable offerings (28%).

Ethnic celebrations, the different Asian New Years, parades and food fairs along with cultural events like the Parol Lantern Festival & Parade, Cherry Blossom Festivals and Holi are ways to invite nonAsians into our communities and to announce our presence. 

It's also important for those AAPI who are in positions of influence or celebrityhood to not be shy about their ethnic heritage to make it crystal clear that AAPI  are here and already an integral part of American society and culture. It behooves all of us to step out of our comfort zones to make sure our voices and issues are heard, whether it be in the voting booth, school board meetings or in corporate board rooms.

Don't be silent.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. If you find this perspective interesting, please repost.

AANHPI Heritage Month: Americans' attitudes towards AAPI highlights misperceptions and ignorance

One in two Asian Americans feel unsafe in the US and nearly 80% of Asian Americans do not completely feel they belong and accepted in the United States, according to a new survey.

The survey also found that 50% of Asian Americans feel unsafe in the US because of the rash of racist attacks against them attributed to discrimination and the lack representation among the ranks of leaders.

The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) on May 2 announced the findings of the third annual STAATUS Index—”Social Tracking of Asian Americans in the US”—the leading study examining attitudes and stereotypes towards Asian American and Pacific Islanders  in the US. 

“We’re seeing a continuing and alarming trend in that the majority of Asian Americans do not feel safe or feel like they belong here because of their race,” said Norman Chen, CEO of TAAF. “Anti-Asian violence haunts our community and takes a toll in every part of our lives, from riding a public bus to attending school. 

FYI: Click here to read the 2023 STAATUS report.

"We can’t blame political rhetoric and the COVID-19 pandemic alone for anti-Asian sentiment. Historic stereotypes and prejudices towards our communities are persistent and deeply entrenched.

Some of the key takeaways are:

• Of all the racial groups surveyed, Asian Americans—especially young, Asian American women— are the least likely to feel they completely belong and are accepted in the U.S. The top reason cited was racial discrimination, followed by the lack of representation of Asian American leaders in the workplace.
• Many Americans across the country are open to more opportunities to interact with AAPIs, support AAPI businesses, and learn more about AAPI stories and history.
• Of those who feel unsafe, 29% believed the most dangerous situation was on public transportation.

One of the discouraging findings in the report is that a quarter of those interviewed could not name a famous living Asian American. Among those who responded, Jackie Chan (who is not American) and Bruce Lee (who died 50 years ago) received the most votes. Vice President Kamala Harris, whose mother came from India, received the 4th most votes. Surprisingly, that's an improvement from last year's survey when the respondents did not menton Harris.

Americans as a whole expressed mixed feelings about the perceived economic or military coming from the People's Republic of China.

Most respondents, 83%, see China as a military/national security threat, 74% as an economic threat, and 44% as a health threat.‍ That feeling is strongest among older and white Americans overwhelmingly (>80%) 

However, 79% of Americans do not believe people of Chinese Americans pose a threat to the US. Respondents also overwhelmingly (87%) are comfortable with Asian Americans’ employment in jobs that involve national security.

Nevertheless, nearly one-third of Americans see Asian Americans as more loyal to their perceived country of origin and almost a third (31%) think Asian Americans should be subject to additional scrutiny if they work in areas considered critical to U.S. global strategic competitiveness.

A majority (57%)of all Americans race relations was getting worse in the lst five years. Only 16% felt that race relations was improving..

The survey offered some hope in improving race relations. More than 60% of Americans would like more opportunities to interact with AAPIs and learn about their experience and history.

Advocates of including Asian American history in school curriculums should be pleased that 3 out of 5 Americans think that incorporating the Asian American experience into the teaching of American history is important.

Respondents were asked, 

"What do you have in common with AAPI?"

A quarter of the respondents think they share “a lot” of economic interests (26%) and core values (25%) with Asian Americans, signaling an opportunity to grow understanding and strengthen connections with AAPIs.

The results from the annual study help TAAF plan their own programming including supporting initiatives that counter bias and build belonging among AAPIs. For example, TAAF’s areas of focus include improving public education curricula so that AAPI history is taught in schools, supporting tracking and reducing incidence of hate and promoting authentic and diverse AAPI narratives in journalism, media, film, and television—all efforts aimed at addressing the root causes of harmful, racist attitudes.

“The report also shows that geopolitics may affect anti-Asian sentiment, causing distrust and putting communities on edge,” Chen said. “It is startling to see that more than one in four of Americans still think Asian Americans are more loyal to their perceived country of origin than to the US," 

"These unfortunate and enduring misperceptions erode our sense of belonging and safety as AAPIs. By tracking these perceptions, we want to draw attention and implement solutions to the very real and persistent problems impacting the daily lives of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders,” he continued.

AAPI leaders voice support for Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson

Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson gave remarks after being introduced by President Joe Biden and
 Vice President Kamala Harris.

President Biden announced Friday that he is nominating Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court to replace retiring Justice Stephen Breyer and received the support of AAPI community advocates.

Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Chair Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27) issued the following statement:

“I am thrilled at President Biden’s choice of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to be the first Black woman justice on the Supreme Court! Over her long career, Judge Jackson has demonstrated a true commitment to public service and justice, qualities which have already led to her being confirmed by a strong bipartisan vote to serve on the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit. As a lawyer on the US Sentencing Committee, a public defender, and an experienced Federal judge, Judge Jackson brings an important perspective to the court that will be essential for protecting the rights of all Americans.

The National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA) and member organizations issued the following statements after President Biden announced Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as his pick for the Supreme Court of the United States.

The National Council of Asian Pacific Americans congratulates Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson for making history as the first Black woman nominated to be a Supreme Court Justice, and we applaud President Biden for this selection.

“Our coalition has long held that the work of racial and gender justice cannot be viewed as a zero sum game for communities of color. When the highest court in the land moves one step closer to reflecting the diversity of the country, that is a win for all of us,” said Gregg Orton, National Director of NCAPA. “With the Supreme Court taking up so many cases of importance to our community members, ensuring another diverse perspective is now more critical than ever.”

Priya Purandare, Executive Director, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) commented:

“Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson is exceptionally well qualified to serve on our nation’s highest court. Women and persons of color—including AAPIs—continue to be underrepresented on our courts. If confirmed, we will have four women justices and the most diverse Supreme Court in history. We applaud President Biden’s commitment to creating a judiciary that reflects our nation and we urge the Senate quickly to confirm Judge Jackson.”

Madalene Mielke, President & CEO of Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) commented:

“APAICS applauds President Biden for keeping his promise to diversify the leadership in our country by nominating the first Black woman to the Supreme Court. We understand better than anyone that, oftentimes, qualified women of color are overlooked for leadership positions. It is critical that we continue to create a pipeline to elevate individuals that can represent our country and the diversity within it.”

Juliet K. Choi, President and Chief Executive Officer of Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) stated:

“We are encouraged that President Biden has followed through with his campaign promise to nominate a Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court. Diversity and representation at the apex of our nation’s institutions is critical to making underserved communities like ours heard, and we celebrate the work that the Administration has, and will continue to progress equity and justice.”

Hope Atuel, CEO of Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA) said:

“The Asian Real Estate Association of America congratulates Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson for attaining the rare distinction of a Supreme Court Justice nomination, and for being the first Black woman in history to receive this honor.

“Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s extensive resume and experience in the field make her a highly qualified candidate, and we extend our support and trust to her to uphold the founding doctrine of our country. As proud Americans, the AAPI community benefits from any justice that follows the American ideals of liberty and justice for all.”

Thu Nguyen, Executive Director of OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates (OCA) added:

“The Supreme Court is not truly reflective of the country it serves, which is why this nomination is so incredibly important. The confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson will shatter a historic barrier and hopefully set a precedent for the proper inclusion of people of color in government.”

Anjuli Amin, Ph.D., President of the Asian American Psychological Association (AAPA) said:

“The Asian American Psychological Association (AAPA) congratulates Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on their historic nomination to the Supreme Court. This nomination is a critical step towards uplifting all communities of color. It comes at a crucial point in our fight for justice and in ensuring the Supreme Court becomes a more accurate reflection of the diversity present within our country.”

David Inoue, Executive Director of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) commented:

Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson is an excellent nominee for the Supreme Court, with unimpeachable credentials. Rather than ask why Judge Jackson has been nominated above other candidates, we should be asking why they have been passed over previously for consideration. When President Biden was campaigning, he promised to nominate a Black woman so that the court would look more like America. Swift confirmation of Judge Jackson will move us in that direction.

Kiran Kaur Gill, Executive Director of the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) added:

“SALDEF congratulates Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on her nomination. Today’s nomination is a historic sign of progress for our country. The elevation of a Black woman to the Supreme Court is a signal that America’s highest institutions can be inclusive of persons of all backgrounds and all experiences. Judge Jackson is an experienced legal advocate and we urge the Senate to confirm her to the bench.”

Mona R. Shah, Executive Director of the South Asian Bar Association of North America (SABA) stated:

“The South Asian Bar Association of North America (SABA) congratulates Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson for her well deserved nomination to be a Supreme Court Justice. SABA also praises the Biden Administration for this historic and needed choice.”

Christine Chen, Executive Director of Asian Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote) commented:

“The nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson is absolutely historic. Judge Jackson is one of the most qualified candidates in the country and we welcome her nomination as a huge step for representation and equality for all communities including Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. The Supreme Court today faces fundamental questions regarding our democracy and our right to vote, therefore it is of the utmost importance we have Supreme Court justices who understand the unique circumstances of our diverse nation. We see promise in Judge Jackson’s ability to do this.”

Jeffrey B. Caballero, Executive Director of the Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO) said:

“AAPCHO commends President Biden for nominating Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court of the United States. Diversity and representation are critical to understanding and addressing institutional, systemic, and structural barriers that perpetuate our nation’s inequities. Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s expertise and lived experience will provide the court with an important perspective as it considers the most critical legal questions facing the nation. AAPCHO and our member community health centers urge the Senate to quickly confirm Judge Jackson.”

John C. Yang, President and Executive Director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice (Advancing Justice – AAJC) stated:

“The Supreme Court needs to serve and reflect the diversity of America, and we celebrate the nomination of a woman of color, and the first black woman, to the highest court in the land. We need justices on the Supreme Court who have a demonstrated commitment to equal justice under the law, understand the lived experiences of communities of color, and who will ensure the civil rights of all communities are protected.”

Kenrick I. Ross, Executive Director of the National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA) said:

“NQAPIA applauds the historic nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court. Along with being eminently qualified for this role, the nominee will bring a unique perspective to issues heard before the court in a moment when the basic rights and dignity of LGBTQ+ Asians and Pacific Islanders and other marginalized groups are being decided. We applaud President Biden in taking this historic step, and for moving at such a rapid pace to have all levels of the judicial system better reflect the true diversity of America”

Marielle A. Reataza, Executive Director of the National Asian Pacific American Families Against Substance Abuse (NAPAFASA) added:

“We wholly support President Biden’s nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as the next Supreme Court Justice. The next Justice is filling a seat during a time in which Americans are aching for representation and seeking guidance on how to move forward. We believe that she is well-qualified and poised for this role. Congratulations, Judge Jackson!”

Sung Yeon Choimorrow, Executive Director of the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF) stated:

“NAPAWF is thrilled to celebrate Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s nomination to the highest court in the land. She is an exceptional jurist with a breadth of experience and a demonstrated pattern of excellence over the course of her accomplished career. Judge Jackson’s historical nomination is a meaningful step to ensuring that the highest court in the land is closer to reflecting the diversity of our country and NAPAWF.”

Tavae Samuelu, Executive Director of Empowering Pacific Islander Communities (EPIC) stated:

“EPIC celebrates the nomination of Judge Jackson. It’s incumbent upon us to ensure that though she is the first, she cannot be the last. This is a step toward correcting the longstanding exclusion of Black women from seats of power.”

Alvina Yeh, Executive Director of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA), AFL-CIO commented:

“We congratulate Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson for her nomination to the United States Supreme Court. As the high court’s first former public defender, Jackson brings with her invaluable experiences and perspectives from issues impacting the most vulnerable members of our community. While serving on the U.S. Sentencing Commission, she successfully helped to reduce the recommended penalties for nonviolent drug offenders, demonstrating her commitment to reform the criminal legal system. Jackson’s confirmation would strengthen the progressive and women’s voice on the court, which is critical when attacks to abortion access, worker protections, and civil rights are being contested across the nation. We call for a swift confirmation for Judge Jackson!”

Becky Belcore, Co-Director of the National Korean American Service and Education Consortium (NAKASEC) added:

“Recognizing the diversity of communities and experiences in the United States is a vital step towards creating more equitable systems and reducing harm. It is imperative and urgent that our judicial systems, including and especially the highest court, reflect, recognize, and center the communities their decisions will most impact.”

Seema Agnani, Executive Director of the National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development (National CAPACD) said:

“National CAPACD congratulates Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson for her well-deserved Supreme Court nomination. We are proud to witness the first Black woman nominated to the highest legal institution in our country, and we are encouraged by the Biden Administration’s commitment to appoint leaders who reflect the diversity—and determine the futures—of the communities they serve. We urge the Administration to swiftly confirm Judge Jackson as the Supreme Court faces critical decisions that will determine whether we, as a country, move toward equity and racial justice.”

Rod Lew, Executive Director of Asian Pacific Partners for Empowerment, Advocacy, and Leadership (APPEAL) commented:

“President Biden’s SCOTUS nomination marks a historic day. This is a step forward for racial and gender justice. Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s experience and knowledge will have positive impacts for communities of color for generations to come.”

Additionally, A.B. Cruz III, acting president of NAPABA released the following statement:

“NAPABA congratulates Judge Jackson on her historic nomination to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. She is a brilliant legal scholar and is well qualified to serve on the Court. President Biden’s promise to appoint the first Black woman to the Supreme Court underscores his commitment to diversifying our judiciary. Notably, women and persons of color, including Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, continue to be underrepresented on our courts.""

AAPI families would rather go hungry than go out to buy groceries because of hate and pandemic fears

Fear overrides hunger for many Asian Americans

By Daniel J. Perez-Lopez and Lindsay M. Monte 

Census Bureau

Fear of the coronavirus and the possibility of an unprovoked hate rime is overriding hunger for many Asian American households, according to the Census Bureau.

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) were twice as likely as non-Hispanic White populations to report not having enough to eat amid the pandemic because they were “afraid to go or didn’t want to go out to buy food,” according to a new analysis by the Census. 

All major race and Hispanic origin groups reported being more likely to experience food insufficiency because of the pandemic in April 2020, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s experimental Household Pulse Survey (HPS).

The non-Hispanic, or AAPI population has generally followed the same trend as the non-Hispanic White population through March: consistently lower rates of food insufficiency than both the non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic populations.

But the causes of food shortages for non-Hispanic Asian and non-Hispanic White households differed.

Why People Did Not Have Enough to Eat

There are many reasons someone may experience food insufficiency, defined as sometimes or often not having enough to eat. The most prevalent is the inability to afford food. But during the pandemic, there were other reasons people were unable to access food.

Of adults who reported food insufficiency in the previous week, the survey asked for the reason. The question offered a choice of responses, ranging from couldn’t afford it and couldn’t get out to buy it, to too afraid or didn’t want to go out, couldn’t get groceries delivered and stores didn’t have what I wanted.

At the end of March, non-Hispanic Asian respondents experiencing food insufficiency were less likely than food insufficient non-Hispanic White respondents to report that they couldn’t afford food, couldn’t get groceries delivered or that stores were poorly stocked.

These households were not significantly different in their likelihood of reporting that they were unable to get to the store.

However, non-Hispanic Asian respondents were much more likely than non-Hispanic White respondents to report going without food because they were afraid or didn’t want to go out to buy it.

Other than the question about fear of going to the store, the HPS did not collect the reasons for the fear that people reported was keeping them from getting the food they need.

There could be many reasons including living in a high-crime area, in food deserts where shopping is inconvenient or in rural towns where drives are long.

Respondents might also face other fears such as racially motivated violence. For example, according to the Department of Justice, anti-Asian violence has risen during the pandemic, including several well-publicized hate crimes.

This may explain why, while fear of going out for food among non-Hispanic White adults declined between the last quarter of 2020 and the first quarter of 2021, fear among non-Hispanic Asian adults did not.

However, as coronavirus has killed more than 600,000 people across the United States and infected over 34 million, there is also reason to think that fear of illness would keep people home from grocery stores.

Vaccination Rates

While fear of the deadly virus may be keeping some home from the grocery store, it may also explain the higher vaccination rates among Asians in the United States.

In January, as vaccines began to be widely distributed, the HPS added questions asking whether people had received at least one dose of a vaccine or were planning to get it once available.

Comparing those who in late March had received the vaccine or reported they definitely will get the vaccine, AAPI respondents were more likely (85.6%) than non-Hispanic White (73.1%), non-Hispanic Black (63.6%) or Hispanic respondents (70.3%) to report they’d gotten at least one shot or definitely would when the vaccine was available to them.

As vaccines continue to become more readily available, the HPS will allow us to see whether increased access addresses any of the fears that respondents have reported thus far.

Daniel J. Perez-Lopez and Lindsay M. Monte are statisticians in the Census Bureau’s Social, Economic and Housing Statistics Division.

Snapshot of New York City's AAPI communities shatters model minority myth

New York City's Asian Americans are complicated according to a new survey.

A new survey reveals the immense diversity of New York City's Asian American and Pacific Islander communities and cautions against lumping all of the ethnic and national AAPI groups into a single generalization.

The NYC Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) released a new analysis of the city's AAPI immigrant population during Immigrant Heritage Month. This snapshot is a testament to the economic contributions of AAPI immigrants and highlights the diversity and demographic characteristics of the City’s AAPI communities.

“Amid the disturbing rise in anti-Asian bias and discrimination, this report breaks down myths and misinformation about the community, explores the incredible diversity of API immigrant New Yorkers, and highlights both the contributions and critical needs of our API communities," said Raquel Batista, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs.  

The new analysis demonstrates how the AAPI community is not a monolith; there are many variances in the social, economic, and demographic characteristics between the diverse ethnic groups within the community. 

The report is part of MOIA’s continued work with city agencies and community partners to address racial and economic inequities, especially during COVID-19 pandemic recovery efforts. 

It also comes at a time of increased incidents of discrimination and violence against AAPI individuals, rooted in the long history of racism, stereotyping, and scapegoating of AAPI immigrant communities in the U.S.

READ the full report at on.nyc.gov/APIReport. 

Despite the lessening dangers presented by the pandemic, the AAPI communities continue to come under verbal and physical attack. AAPI community members continue to report increased incidents of public assaults, harassment, and hate crimes. Despite these challenges, AAPIs are serving on the front lines, risking their own health as doctors, nurses, human services workers, early childhood teachers, grocers, delivery workers, and more.

Ultimately, the MOIA's report spotlights the importance of understanding more about the unique challenges and characteristics of immigrant communities to better respond to their needs.

Key findings of the report include:

• AAPI is the fastest growing racial group in NYC, mainly driven by the influx of immigrants to the City.
• AAPI immigrants are one of the most diverse racial groups in the City, representing more than 30 different ethnic groups and speaking more than 50 languages.
• Two-thirds of AAPI immigrants are essential workers compared to 57% of White immigrants.
• AAPI and Hispanic immigrants have the highest poverty rates of all immigrant groups (24%).
• 13% of all AAPI immigrants in NYC are undocumented, slightly lower than the share of NYC immigrants overall (16%).

Following are some of the Social and Demographic Characteristics of AAPI Immigrants in NYC:

• Age. The median age for AAPI immigrants is 47 years, similar to the median age of all immigrants. Within the API population, however, there is a large difference in median age, with Nepalese immigrants being the youngest (35 years) and Filipinos being the oldest (50 years). 

• The share of AAPI immigrants who are 65 years and older is smaller than the share of White immigrants (18% compared 27%). Among API immigrants, Filipinos have the largest share of those 65 years and older (23%). 

• Sex.2 Six of the top 10 AAPI immigrant ethnic groups reported more females than males. Filipinos have the highest percent of a population that reported as female (61%) and Pakistani immigrants have the smallest percent (43%). In general, the overall population of New York City skews female (52% as does the foreign-born population (54 %). 

• English Proficiency. There is a wide ethnic group-based disparity among API immigrants with Limited English Proficiency (LEP), meaning that they self-identify as speaking English “less than very well.” Filipino immigrants have the lowest share of reported LEP (27%) among API ethnic groups, while Chinese immigrants have the highest share of reported LEP (76%). 

• Educational Attainment.3 Japanese, Filipino, Taiwanese, and Korean immigrants have the highest levels of educational attainment; over half of these groups are college graduates. Within the Chinese ethnic group there is a wide divergence in educational attainment: 24% have less than a ninth grade education while almost an equal share (27%) have attained a college degree or higher. 

• Lack of Health Insurance Coverage. Nepalese immigrants have the highest rate of uninsurance (17%), while Vietnamese immigrants are among the API ethnic groups with the lowest share (five percent) of the population that does not have health insurance. Among all immigrants in New York City, 13% do not have health insurance. 

The NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs promotes the well-being of NYC’s immigrant communities by advocating for policies that increase justice, equity, and empowerment. MOIA leads, supports, and manages programs that help to successfully include immigrant New Yorkers into the civic, economic, and cultural life of the City. 

The new analysis demonstrates how the API community is not a monolith; there are many variances in the social, economic, and demographic characteristics between the diverse ethnic groups within the community. 

In addition, the fact sheet provides information about the ethnic groups composing New York City’s API community, concentrations of API immigrants across the boroughs, and the languages spoken within the community. It also highlights digital resources to address xenophobia and anti-Asian hate available at nyc.gov/StopAsianHate. 

“Better serving our immigrant communities starts with better understanding their composition, their contributions, and the challenges they face,” said J. Phillip Thompson, Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives. 

“MOIA’s new fact sheet adds to our understanding of New York City’s diverse API immigrant communities, and it will be a critical resource to guide the City’s continued efforts to support and empower these communities over the next few years."

Biden announces additional actions to respond to anti-Asian violence, xenophobia and bias

Dozens of demonstrations condemning attacks against AAPI took place over the weekend.

After a weekend of demonstrations across the nation denouncing the hateful attacks against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, the White House on Tuesday announced new initiatives in response to the mounting attacks and harassment that AAPI communities are facing over the past year.

"Across our nation, an outpouring of grief and outrage continues at the horrific violence and xenophobia perpetrated against Asian American communities, especially Asian American women and girls," the White House said in a statement Tuesday.

When the White House made the announcement, Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-HI, tweeted: "Racism is never far below the surface in America, which is all too evident as the AAPI community has experienced escalating attacks and targeted violence during the pandemic.

"We must confront the systems that allowed this hatred to fester and spread—exactly what @POTUS is doing," the tweet added.

The new initiatives are responding  to the increase in acts of anti-Asian violence, and to advance safety, inclusion, and belonging for all Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. These actions build on the President’s Memorandum Condemning and Combating Racism, Xenophobia, and Intolerance Against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States, issued his first week in office. 

Today’s announcements include:

Reinstating and reinvigorating the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, with initial focus on anti-Asian bias and violence: The President will re-establish and expand the initiative’s initial mandate to coordinate across federal agencies to combat anti-Asian bias and violence, especially anti-Asian violence at the intersection of gender-based violence. The initiative will have an expanded mandate to promote inclusion, belonging, and opportunity for all Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. Over the coming weeks, the Administration will meet with Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander leaders and organizations to hear their recommendations for the initiative’s mission, structure, and community engagement. And, the President will appoint a permanent Director to lead the Initiative in the coordination of policies across the federal government impacting Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities.

Funding for AAPI survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault: The Department of Health and Human Services is allocating $49.5 million from the American Rescue Plan to a new grant program for community based, culturally specific services and programs for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault who face additional barriers to services and safety, such as language access barriers. This program will expand services to domestic violence survivors from Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities.

Establishing a COVID-19 Equity Task Force committee on addressing and ending xenophobia against Asian Americans: President Biden established a COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force through his Executive Order on Ensuring an Equitable Pandemic Response and Recovery on Jan, 21, 2021. The Task Force is charged with making recommendations to the President to eliminate health and social disparities that result in disproportionately higher rates of exposure, illness, hospitalization and death related to COVID-19, and for preventing such inequities in the future.

To carry out this work, HHS is announcing Tuesday that the Task Force has established a subcommittee on Structural Drivers of Health Inequity and Xenophobia. This subcommittee will provide recommendations to ensure the Federal Government’s response to COVID-19 mitigates anti-Asian xenophobia and bias, as established by the President's initial memorandum.

In addition to addressing bias and xenophobia against Asian American communities, the subcommittee will advance health equity for specific Asian American communities, including Pacific Islander and Native Hawaiian communities who have disproportionately been infected by and died from COVID-19. The subcommittee will lead policy sprints to develop actionable recommendations for advancing cultural competency, language access, and inclusion towards AAPI as the U.S. ends and recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Establishment of a Department of Justice cross-agency initiative to address anti-Asian violence: To implement the President’s week-one Memorandum combatting AAPI xenophobia, DOJ has established a whole agency initiative to respond to anti-Asian violence. 

Actions to date include:

• Leadership and coordination: The Department of Justice Civil Rights Division re-convened the Department’s Hate Crimes Enforcement and Prevention Initiative and is focused on the rise of hate crimes against the AAPI community. The initiative is re-initiating community outreach and engagement programs and addressing gaps in hate crimes reporting.

• Data and transparency: To ensure transparency in the nation’s hate crimes data, and to support community-led efforts to shine a spotlight on acts of anti-Asian violence, the Federal Bureau of Investigation will publish a new interactive hate crime page on its Crime Data Explorer website, which will spotlight reports of anti-Asian hate crimes. This online tool will help communities, researchers, and advocates study and measure national hate crimes statistics. And, to promote accurate reporting of hate crimes against Asian Americans, the FBI is also adding scenario-based training on anti-Asian bias crimes to its data collection training manual that is provided to state and local partners. In January 2021, the FBI Criminal Justice Information System transitioned to the National Incident-Based Reporting System, which improves upon the prior reporting system by adding more than 50 additional categories of crimes and demographic data, and supports state and local law enforcement agencies in reporting hate crimes, including crimes related to anti-Asian bias.

• Removing language access barriers to hate crimes information: DOJ has updated its hate crimes website, which provides a centralized portal of hate crime-related resources for law enforcement, researchers, victims, and advocacy groups. Information on the site has been made accessible in four of the most frequently spoken AAPI languages: Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, and Vietnamese.

• Community resources and outreach: DOJ is partnering with the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) on a panel discussion for its 50,000 members focused on improving efforts to combat anti-Asian hate incidents. DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, Community Relations Service, and the FBI will participate in the discussion and share resources. DOJ is also partnering with community-based organizations to expand public education and awareness about hate crimes reporting, prevention, and response.

• Law enforcement training: The FBI will begin holding nationwide civil rights training events to promote state and local law enforcement reporting of hate crimes. These new civil rights trainings will feature modules on recognizing and reporting anti-Asian bias. The Department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services is field testing a new hate crimes curriculum focused on law enforcement response, investigation, and reporting of hate crimes. The course focuses on increasing capacity and competency to investigate and accurately report all hate crimes, including those motivated by anti-Asian bias.

• Launching a new virtual bookshelf of federally-funded projects that explore and celebrate Asian Americans’ contributions to the United States: The National Endowment for the Humanities is launching a virtual library including resources for educators, civic leaders, arts and humanities institutions, and families to explore Asian American history, and address the history and ongoing challenge of anti-Asian discrimination and racism in the United States.

• Funding critical research to prevent and address bias and xenophobia against Asian American communities. The National Science Foundation is taking a comprehensive approach to investing in research to understand, address, and end bias, discrimination and xenophobia, including against AAPI communities. NSF is currently supporting more than 100 grants across the country totaling more than $33 million dollars of investment. These diverse researchers are advancing innovative studies to reveal new and more effective strategies for reducing the frequency and severity of discrimination experienced by historically underrepresented groups, and reduce targeting of, and violence towards, historically underrepresented communities and individuals, including Asian American communities. This work continues NSF’s history of commitment to supporting fundamental research in these vital areas.

Tuesday’s announcements are additional steps in the Biden Administration’s work to advance equity for AAPI communities throughout the federal government.

In the Tuesday Press Briefing, Press Secretary Jen Psaki said the White House will follow through with a promise made to Senators Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill, and Mazie Hirono, D-HI, the only AAPI senators, to  appoint a high-level liaison after consultation with AAPI leaders.

"In the coming weeks, the administration will meet with AAPI leaders to hear their input in how we can play the most constructive role possible in the community. And the President raised — because he felt it was imperative to elevate — the continuing threats, the hate speech, and the violence against the Asian American community in his speech he gave during a primetime address a week ago," said Psaki.

On his first day in office, Biden signed an Executive Order on Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government. As part of this Order, the President charged federal agencies with taking a comprehensive approach to advancing equity for AAPI communities. 

In his first 65 days, the President announced that it is the official policy of this Administration to condemn anti-Asian bias and violence; visited AAPI leaders in Atlanta to denounce anti-Asian violence and gender-based violence with the Vice President; called on Congress to pass the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act introduced by Senator Hirono and Congresswoman Meng; and promised to create a White House Liaison to the AAPI communities to ensure that AAPI concerns are being heard.

AAPI still not over being snubbed for Biden's cabinet.

Asian Americans will not be at the table when President Joe Biden's Cabinet meets

OPINION

President Joe Biden's executive memo condemning the hate and racism being aimed at Asian and Pacific Islander Americans has done little to sooth the hurt for not getting an AAPI named to a single Cabinet Secretary.

“The brazen exclusion" of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders "abandons and erases the AAPI community,” said Madalene Mielke, president and CEO of the Asian Pacific American Institute of Congressional Studies.

“It’s insulting and frustrating,” Mielke, told USA Today. “Part of the reason Asian Americans vote is that they’re looking for people who can represent them. And it stings, because it looks like we’re regressing.”

“Yes, I am profoundly disappointed also that there is not a member of the AAPI community at the Cabinet secretary level,” said Sen. Tammy Duckworth in a statement. “And I think that for a Cabinet that is so historically diverse, to not have someone of AAPI descent at the Cabinet level is a real missed opportunity.

“I think it sends two messages,” said the Illinois Congressmember. “One, that you’re not important to us, you’re not diverse enough, you’re not important to us. And the other is that you can be taken for granted.

“AAPIs have 4% of the vote in many, many states — that’s the margin of victory in many, many states … it just says that potentially we’re taking AAPIs for granted,” she added. “And I’m just going to make sure we send a message that we will not take AAPIs for granted. That the AAPI community is just as important to this nation as those of other community groups and that AAPIs are Americans just like everyone else.”

Duckworth‘s comments came the same day Biden signed a memorandum condemning racism and xenophobia against AAPIs spurred by the coronavirus pandemic.

AAPI voters cast their ballots for Biden in overwhelming numbers and acted as swing voters in some districts and states so criticizing Biden is not something that comes easy for some.

“As much as I view myself as a friendly ally of this president," said Rep. Mark Takano. "I think he’s erred in [that] he has chosen to exclude Asian Americans from his 15 Cabinet secretaries."

Settling for the crumbs is something AAPI is all too familiar with. The danger is if AAPI voters who became more engaged in the November election or in Georgia's runoff vote for Senate feel that their effort was for naught, they may begin to wonder if their political involvement is worth the effort.

Former Congressmember Dan Honda emphasized that the people Biden chose were well qualified and that his Cabinet is one of the more diverse, but without an AAPI Secretary, it doesn't "look like America," a boast Biden promised during the campaign.

Critics say that picking Neera Tanden to head the Office of Management and Budget and Katherine Tai for the U.S. Trade Representative post are fine selections, their positions don't carry the weight as a Cabinet Secretary.

The only hope for AAPI may fall Vice President Kamala Harris shoulders to make sure that the AAPI voice is heard during the Cabinet meetings.

“When we’re out of the picture, then we’re not part of America,” said  Honda. “And then all we’re good for is photos and contributions of votes, but not for a seat at America’s table.”

EDITOR'S NOTE; A word of caution. This is an opinion piece. Readers should consult several sources of news to form their own opinion.