Celebrities, activists added to MTV's 'See Us Unite For Change' celebration of AANHPI Heritage Month

Olivia Munn, left, and Henry Golding, center join host Ken Jeong in the MTV celebration.

With Ken Jeong set to host, MTV's AANHPI Heritage Month celebration announced more celebrities joining the star-studded  television event.

MTV's "See Us Unite for Change" event just announced a massive expansion to their roster. With additions of Olivia Munn, Henry Golding, the Black Eyed Peas, Steven Yeun, Mike Shinoda and Sesame Street's Elmo and Alan. Additional presenters also include Chloe Bennet, Cheryl Burke, Tim Chantarangsu, James Hong, Alan Kim, Michelle Kwan, Lisa Ling and Jeremy Lin. the celebration is set to kick off on May 21st at 8 p.m. ET/PT and will include performances from Jhene Aiko, Saweetie, and Sting.

"To truly shift perceptions on a larger scale, we must come together to take a stand against discrimination, slander and violence in all of its forms, utilizing every platform and tool that we have access to," said See Us Unite campaign Executive Producer Sheila Lirio Marcelo.

"But anti-Asian hate has had a long history in this country, and to truly shift perceptions on a larger scale, we must come together to take a stand against discrimination, slander and violence in all of its forms, utilizing every platform and tool that we have access to."

"Ultimately, our culture is our greatest asset in our effort to change hearts and minds," she added.

Featuring music, comedy performances, short films, and inspirational speakers, the event will spotlight notable Asian American Pacific Islander contributions to art and media and education.

Asian American public figures and those working to combat violence against the AAPI community will also speak. Other speakers include Amanda Ngoc Nguyen, Ai-Jen Poo, Prof. Karthick Ramakrishnan and John C. Yang.

The Asian American Foundation partnered with the Ford Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, The Henry Luce Foundation and the Wallace H. Coulter Foundation to fund the event.

The goal of the event, which is a partnership between MTV Entertainment Studios and the Ford and MacArthur foundations, is to help educate its viewers about the powerful impact the AAPI community has had on American culture and help garner support against the hate and discrimination that continues to afflict the AAPI community in the wake of the pandemic, and beyond.

News of the celebration emerged amidst these ongoing acts of violence against the AAPI community. "We are outraged and deeply saddened by the escalation of hate crimes against AAPI communities and stand with them in the fight against xenophobia and bigotry," said MTV President Chris McCarthy. "Hate against one of us is hate against all of us and by working together on a global scale, we can help end this senseless violence."

"Despite these difficult times for our community, the formation of TAAF and their bold work on the See Us Unite campaign represent the best of what can emerge when we share a collective resolve for change," said actor Daniel Dae Kim, who is also on the TAAF board of directors. "They're both great signs for our future."

See Us Unite for Change will air Friday, May 21 at 8 PM EDT on MTV, Comedy Central, VH1, BET, and Nickelodeon. Click here for more information.

Celebrities, activists team up for campaign fighting anti-Asian hate hosted by Ken Jeong

Ilene Aiko, left, and Filipino American rapper Saweetie will perform for "See Us Unite."

A multi-platform cultural campaign designed to accelerate impact and expand support for the AAPI community. See Us Unite, is the being launched by the newly formed The Asian American Foundation. 

This campaign will launch May 21 nationwide on social and outdoor media featuring leading Asian American public figures, such as Daniel Dae Kim, Naomi Osaka, Lisa Ling, Jeremy Lin, Fareed Zakaria, Michelle Kwan and many others.

Through music and comedy performances, short film packages and speakers, “See Us Unite for Change” aims to inspire and educate viewers about the AAPI community’s impact on the United States and how to support on-the-ground efforts building solidarity against hate," said Sheila Lirio Marcelo, executive producer of the See Us Unite campaign, TAFF board member and founder of Care.com. 

"Over the past year, we've witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of discrimination, violence and hate towards the AAPI community,"  said Marcelo

"But anti-Asian hate has had a long history in this country, and to truly shift perceptions on a larger scale, we must come together to take a stand against discrimination, slander and violence in all of its forms, utilizing every platform and tool that we have access to. Ultimately, our culture is our greatest asset in our effort to change hearts and minds."

Hosted by Ken Jeong, the event will feature performances by artists including Jhene Aiko, Saweetie, Sting and more as well as appearances by Daniel Dae Kim and Lisa Ling, among many others. 

The event will also explore the history and contributions of Asian Americans and will feature testimonials from leading Asian American public figures, as well as individuals working to enact change on the ground, including Amanda Ngoc Nguyen, Ai-Jen Poo, Prof. Karthick Ramakrishnan and John C. Yang. 

Funds raised from the campaign will be directed towards education and awareness-raising efforts, as well as initiatives that build understanding and solidarity among diverse communities. 

Powerful grassroots-led efforts have emerged in response to the rise in anti-Asian violence and discrimination. To accelerate impact on the ground, the See Us Unite campaign is partnering with the Asian Pacific Fund to drive funding towards organizations including Asian Americans Advancing Justice, Stop AAPI Hate, National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum (NAPAWF), The Asian American Education Project (AAEdu), Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP), the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA), and other AAPI organizations. 

The Asian American Foundation and a coalition of partners including the Ford Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, The Henry Luce Foundation and the Wallace H. Coulter Foundation, are behind the effort.

As part of the campaign MTV Entertainment will broadcast "See Us Unite for Change - The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) in service of the AAPI Community" at 8 p.m. EDT/PDT across its portfolio of brands (MTV, Comedy Central, Paramount Network, Smithsonian Channel, Pop TV, VH1, CMT, TV Land and Logo) as well as BET and Nickelodeon, and stream exclusively on Facebook Watch.

"The rise in violence against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders is the latest in America's long legacy of racial injustice. Racism is pervasive and it thrives on ignorance. To end it, we have to first acknowledge it," said Ford Foundation President Darren Walker. "See Us Unite confronts that history and puts a spotlight on experiences that need to be seen and heard, because visibility matters."

#StopAsianHate Together video features Hollywood AAPI actors

Hollywood personalities of Asian descent are fighting against the surge of hate-inspired anti-AAPI violence in the best way they can by using the tools of their trade.

A year of mounting attacks has spurred AAPI actors and producers to use their media platforms to speak out against the racism against their community.

“The racist, verbal and physical assaults have left my community fearful to step outside,” Vietnamese American actress Olivia Munn wrote on Instagram. “These hate crimes have spiked since Covid and continue to increase even though we ask for help.”

Because millions of people follow the celebrities, some AAPI actors have become more outspoken in giving voice to those AAPI who don't have the outreach that the artists have built.

This recent effort hopes to raise funds for community organization in the frontlines fighting against the racist hatred.

The video features, (in order of appearance): Olivia Munn, Ken Jeong, Simu Liu, Akemi Look, Lisa Ling, Khalif Boyd, Lacy Lew Nguyen, Winston Duke, Diana Barbadillo, and Vivian Bang.

A GoFUndMe account #StopAsianHate, has been set up with donations going to a number of anti-hate organizations. 

"Together, it is our responsibility to condemn anti-Asian acts and create lasting social change," says the website. "We must amplify AAPI voices and find ways to uplift, empower, and protect the AAPI community. The AAPI Community Fund aims to do just that, addressing the urgent issues that face the AAPI community as well as broader, systemic problems."

#StopAsianHate Voices From Asian America: AAPI entertainers talk activism efforts & giving back

Should entertainers use their platforms to express their personal views outside the realm of acting and performing? 

Why the hell, not? As citizens of this country, they have the same rights that all American have. They're entitled to their views if you believe in the Constitution's First Amendment that guarantees Freedom of Speech.

Movies and television help shape American culture and the way we see ourselves. Progress is occurring, but so much more needs to be done to include AAPI actors and representation onscreen. 

First up, on a Zoom call, Daniel Dae Kim, George Takei, Olivia Munn, Dianne Doan, Hari Kondabolu, and Chloe Bennet sat down with EW on Sunday March, 14th 2021 to speak about their experiences as Asian artists and the rise in attacks against Asians during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We can't really address the racism that's happening towards Asian Americans without addressing the racism that is happening towards African Americans, our Latinx brothers and sisters," states Bennett, the Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. actress.

Below, Ken Jeong, takes a break from his usual comedic nature and gets serious on Late Night.

Unfortunately, "It's going to get worse before it gets better," says the New York-born actress Lucy Liu (below) as she is interviewed by CNN's Erin Burnett.

Margaret Cho, puts the current wave of violence towards Asians in the context of American history. "In the industry I work in, we have a distorted view of Asian Americans," she says.

The more we shift away from the single Eurocentric world view, the better we will be as a country. 

The more we see Americans as more than White, the more we can accept citizens who don't conform to the American self-mage.

Over the Moon: FilAm actress revels in her role and heritage

Cathy Ang, right, provided the voice for Fei Fei in 'Over the Moon' animated musical.

With an Asian American cast of Sandra Oh, John Cho, Phillipa Soo, Ken Jeong, Ruthi Ann Miles, Conrad Ricamora and Margaret Cho, the young star of Over the Moon, Cathy Ang, in her biggest role in her budding career, steals the show.

Ang, 25, stars in Netflix's Over the Moon, an animated film featuring her as her voice a young girl named Fei Fei who builds a rocket ship to travel to space and meet the Chinese moon goddess, Chang’e.

It was a “huge privilege and honor” to be part of that star-studded lineup, Ang said.

“This cast has inspired me to pursue acting,” Ang explained. “I grew up wanting to be able to be like them, and they paved the way for a lot of young Asian American artists. They lift the young artists up so well.”

She remembers idolizing Disney's animated Mulan as a young girl growing up Southern California and having an inspirational role model who looked like her, so she appreciates the chance to pass-it-forward to another generation of Asian American children.

“This is the first time that, as a Chinese Filipino-American I’m getting to play a Chinese character," she said. "So, it’s very exciting for me to be able to share my family’s culture and some of our traditions, and I feel really proud that it’s getting represented on screen and that hopefully the rest of the world will see it and get curious and celebrate it. So it means the world.”

Fei Fei;s incredible journey to the moon and the making of Over The Moon became part of Ang's own journey of her “personal identity,” she said in a Zoom interview with Asian and Asian American media.

“I feel like I’ve learned a lot more about who I am, and even though I’m Asian American, you know, I’m still figuring out what that really means and how that will translate in the art that I make," said the NYU grad.

"But it’s been really nice because I appreciate the way that my parents, who were immigrants from the Philippines, tried to impart a lot of their culture on me as I was growing up, and I realized, more so than ever that it’s a huge gift. And so, it’s made actually the dialogue between my parents and I more exciting because we have new things to talk about,” said Ang, whose father is fron Ongin and mother is from Nueva Viscaya.

I grew up in California and so I had the privilege of going to see lion dancing and dragon dancing in Chinatown and play with Chinese yoyos and we would always eat a lot of really amazing food for every birthday, for every holiday there was something to stuff ourselves with.  There was lechon, there was pancit, there was sinigang, you know, and there were so many holidays where it was just about gathering around a table and stuffing yourselves until you couldn't help but be happy together (laughs).

Although not a full-fledged musical, Over the Moon features plenty of songs allowing the movie's singing stars to shine.

Ang took part in musicals while in college and landed a role in the Broadway hit KPOP. Growing up, she says, like many girls she grew up as a Lea Salonga fan and is slightly embarrassed to tell of her first meeting with the Broadway legend. 

"Oh my gosh. After the show I did which was KPOP musical in New York, I met her because she came to greet the cast. I grew up with Lea Salonga. My parents are from the Philippines and they love Lea Salonga. I love Mulan and Jasmine. She is one of my inspirations to pursue art. I cried the whole time when I saw her. I could not talk to her. She probably thinks I was weird. She was so sweet and I was so overwhelmed to see her."

'Over the Moon' is available for streaming on Netflix.

Five TV episodes celebrating Asian American Thanksgivings

The award-winning Thanksgiving episode of Master of None is a classic.

ThanksgivingThanksgiving is arguably the best holiday on television for Asian Americans. The big meal and all the traditions that revolve around it provide ample fodder for both comedy and drama.

Thanksgiving around my house and I'm sure -- most Asian American households -- always includes comfort dishes from the homeland to make the meal a true family celebration. I know its almost a cliche, but for our family, it means adding pancit and lumpia to the alrady laden table or adding bagoong to the string beans to give it that extra salty kick. Besides the roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes and cranberry sauce, the Thanksgiving table is often joined by pancit, lumpia and rice. You got to have rice.. In larger celebrations, the turkey would play second fiddle to the lechon (roast suckling pig).

RELATED: The truth about Thanksgiving

The aromas waft throughout the house all day for family and for any visitors who might pop in to be met at the door by that Filipino greeting, "Have you eaten yet?"

After stuffing yourself and everyone has moved to the living room to watch football or holiday movies.

Netflix is making the first three episodes available on its streaming network this holiday. The final two shows haven't been syndicated or picked up by anyi of the streaming networks but you can view them on YouTube for only $1.99.

Master of None, “Thanksgiving” (Season 2, Episode 8)

If you want to split hairs, this is technically not an Asian American Thanksgiving, but it features Aziz Ansari, which is good enough for us. If nothing else, holidays are opportunities to reflect on how you and your loved ones have changed from year to year. Riffing on the idea of holidays as markers of time, this Season 2 episode of Master of None tells the coming-out story of Denise (Lena Waithe), over seven holiday meals. “Being gay isn’t something black people love to talk about, Denise tells her friend, Dev (Aziz Ansari), during the 1998 holiday. “Some black people think being gay is a choice, and when they find out that their kid is gay, they try to figure out what they did wrong.” You see all of Denise’s big life changes during these meals, as well as the big shifts that her mother, played by Angela Bassett, goes through. 

Lena Waithe and Aziz Ansari won the Emmy Award for best comedy writing for this episode. 

Fresh Off The Boat, “Huangsgiving” (Season 2, Episode 8)

This episode begins with a classic Thanksgiving showdown scenario: grown-up sisters engaging in hostilities as they each attempt to prove to their mother that they can host a better version of the holiday. Jessica and Louis have a good game plan, with homemade cranberry sauce and Cornish hens replacing a big turkey, but, as is often the case during big family events, things go awry. 

And to add that extra Asian touch, Jessica's mother declares the turkey to be “dry but edible.” The ultimate compliment.

Gilmore Girls, “A Deep-Fried Korean Thanksgiving” (Season 3, Episode 9)

The episode gets to the heart of what Thanksgiving is all about — this idea of celebrating with family and friends, and obligations. That’s why Lorelai and Rory get roped into not one, not two, but four Thanksgiving dinners, and each one offers a different vignette. They know to expect religious music and tofurkey at the Kim household with Keiko Agena playing Rory's best friend Lane. They experience Sookie’s first married Thanksgiving with Jackson, who, because of a compromise, cooks up a deep-fried turkey feast, much to her dismay. They essentially double-date at Luke’s Diner. Lorelai gets into an argument with her mother during dinner. There are two passionate kisses. It’s the unpredictable nature of Thanksgiving in a nutshell.

Dr. Ken, “Thanksgiving Culture Clash” (Season 1, Episode 8): 

Molly gets a Japanese tattoo, which sparks a culture clash between Allison and Ken over their Japanese and Korean heritages, respectively, and makes for a memorable Thanksgiving dinner experience, all of which is documented by Dave for a school project. Meanwhile, Julie invites the staff over to her place to avoid being alone, but Damona and Clark try to get out of it due to other plans.

This episode is available for purchase here.

The Filipino American family, the Chans, made their debut on Crazy Ex-Girlfriend's Thanksgiving episode.

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, "My First Thanksgiving with Josh," (Season 1, Episode 6)

The first-ever depiction of a Filipino American family occurred on this musical rom-com Thanksgiving episode written by FilAm writer Rene Gube (who also plays the cool priest, Father Brah, in the series) The menally-off Rebecca Bunch (Rachel Bloom) tries to impress her boyfriend Josh Chan's (played by Vincent Rodriguez III) extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins  by cooking a bowl of dinaguan, a Filipino dish best described as a pork stew cooked in vinegar and pig blood. Complications ensue because Rebecca's rival for Josh's affections is also invited to the family fesat. They compete with each other for the Chan family's affections. Rebecca gets to do a rap  called "I Do Good Parent" featuring Amy Hill and Alberto Isaac as the parents, Lourdes and Joseph Chan.

This episode can be bought for only $1.99 here.

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Terry Bradshaw apologizes for slighting Ken Jeong

Ken Jeong, left, and former NFL quarterback Terry Bradshaw.

ASAM NEWS

Fox Sports Analyst Terry Bradshaw has apologized for racially insensitive comments he made about actor Ken Jeong, CNN reports.
Bradshaw, a former NFL quarterback, made the comments during Fox’s upfront presentations on Monday. The analyst was discussing his time on The Masked Singer, a show where singing contestants wear masks to hide their faces. Bradshaw was attempting to reference two of the show’s judges, Robin Thicke and Ken Jeong.

“Unfortunately, I was kicked off by Alan Thicke and the little short guy from Japan,” Bradshaw said of his time on the show.

Bradshaw misidentified Robin Thicke as his father Alan Thicke. He also mistakenly called Ken Jeong Japanese. Jeong was born in the U.S. and whose parents immigrated from South Korea. His comments sparked outrage.

On Tuesday, Bradshaw, who played for the National Football League's Pittsburgh Steelers from 1970 to 1983, issued a statement to People apologizing for his comments.

“I made an insensitive remark today about Ken, who I’ve known for some time,” Bradshaw said in the statement. “I’ve spoken to him about the importance of cultural respect and apologized for my offensive comments. I would like to also apologize to the Asian American community for my insensitivity.”

Ken Jeong has not yet commented.

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One more look: Golden Globe on social media

Can't get enough of the Golden Globes diversity? Besides some of the cast of Crazy Rich Asians, there were plenty of  other Asians and Asian Americans making their presence felt. 

Here's a few posts from Instagram and Twitter taken at the after parties, the Red Carpet and onstage:

Netflix executive Lisa Nishimura celebrated Roma's success.

Jaime Chung

Jameela Jamil of The Good Place was in a good mood.

Michelle Yeoh, resplendent in green, wore the emerald ring used in the movie Crazy Rich Asians

Gemma Chan congratulates fellow Brit Richard Madden's Golden Globe for his work on Netlflix's Bodyguard.

Gemma Chan on the Red Carpet

Sandra Oh's genuine reaction when she was announced a Golden Globe winner.

Sandra Oh acknowledges Emma Stone's shouted out apology when Oh made a joke about whitewashing joke about Aloha, which starred Stone as an Asian American.

Nicole Sherszinger was stunning

Ken Jeong 'desperate' to host Oscars

SCREEN CAPTURE
Ken Jeong and Kevin Hart teamed up to present an award at the 2016 Golden Globes awards show. The two comedians were costars in 'Ride Along 2.'

KEN JEONG has made it abundantly clear that he wants to host the Academy Awards next year after Kevin Hart, who was previously tabbed to do the emcee duties, was let go.

"In my opinion, if I don’t get the host of the Oscars — like divorce — I would consider myself a failure," Jeong joked as a guest on The View Tuesday (Dec. 11). "It's so important to me. I have to do this."

I'm not sure if Jeong's quest to host the movie industry's most prestigious awards show is half in jest or it's a serious  lobbying effort, but it certainly earning the comedian/actor a lot of press. As one of stars of the hit movie Crazy Rich Asians, Jeong has been highly visible as the movie continues to receive accolades since its August premiere.

The View's Whoopi Goldberg endorsed the idea and took Jeong's dream to The Late Show later that day. Late Show host Stephen Colbert asked Goldberg if she had been asked to host the awards show.

"I want Ken to do it," she said about Jeong. "He would be brilliant. He would also constitute the first Asian American to host the Oscars. It would be a whole series of firsts and he also loves film and I think that's what you need in a host."

"You need somebody who actually gets why films are great and can tell you the ins and outs and the silliness of movies," she continued.

Variety included Jeong as a possible replacement for Hart along with a list of other celebrities including Ellen DeGenrous, who hosted the show once before. Jeong's CRA costar Awkwafina was also on the list.

SCREEN CAPTURE / NBC

Ken Jeong explains to Seth Meyers why he should host the Oscars.

Striking while the iron was hot, Jeong repeated his quest as a guest on Late Night where he explained to host Seth Meyers why he wanted to pursue what some might consider a long-shot.

"I was always taught when you set goals, make sure you keep them very high," said Jeong. "If I do not become the host of the Oscars, I will consider not only my career, but my life, a failure."

"Any goal that's out of your control, that doesn't really make sense whether you do it or not, I want it so bad," he continued.

Meyers then asked if Jeong is worried that his determination to host the ceremony might make him come off as desperate. "My whole career is desperate," he joked. "That is my brand. I came out of the womb as like, 'Hello!'"

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TGIF Feature: All Asian cast lip-syncs to BTS

ASAM NEWS

STEVE AOKI'S latest music is receiving national praise for its all Asian cast.
The video is for a K-Pop group BTS’s first English-language track, “Waste It On Me,” which Aoki produced. According to Hello Giggles, BTS do not appear in the video. Instead, the group enlisted the help of an Asian American cast and crew to produce the video.

According to Variety, Joe Hahn, who is best known as a DJ for Linkin Park, directed the video. It stars Ken Jeong, Ross Butler, and Jamie Chung. The supporting cast includes Leonard Nam, Jimmy O. Yang, Vincent Rodriguez, and many more. Aoki’s half-sister and model, Devon Aoki also makes an appearance.

Variety reports that learning “Waste it On Me” was the number one song in the world on Apple music inspired Aoki to produce a music video with an all Asian cast.

“When I found out that ‘Waste It On Me’ was the number one song in the world on Apple Music I realized that this track represented more than just me and BTS,” said Aoki. “It’s bigger than music, it represents a Korean band and one Asian American DJ that can show other Asians they are also apart of the global commercial musical landscape. I feel so deeply about the Asian footprint in music culture that I wanted the music video to have an entirely Asian cast and director.”

Aoki released the music video on Monday. It has almost 6 million views.
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Dr. Ken Jeong springs into action to save a life

Ken Jeong was a real medical doctor before he became an actor/comedian.

ASAM NEWS

COMEDIAN KEN JEONG pulled off quite a show stopper.

In the midst of his comedy set at the Stand Up Live Comedy Club in Phoenix Saturday night (May 5), Jeong abruptly jumped off stage to save the life of an audience member who appeared to be having a seizure, reported TMZ.

Dr. Ken, as he was known on his cancelled show on ABC, is a real-life doctor who ended his medical career to pursue acting.

“He couldn’t see what was going on with the lights. He thought he was being heckled. He was playing with them from the stage for a second,” Heather Holmberg, who was in the audience, said to USA Today. “And it was like, ‘No, no, no. We need you!’ He realized there was an issue, and he came over. It was a moment where time stands still. Someone was having a crisis. There was a hush over the room.”

Jeong was aided by an EMT who was also in the audience. The two assisted the woman until paramedics arrived.

When the emergency was over, Jeong jumped back on stage to applause and completed the show, according to Yahoo.

Watch Dr. Ken give some advice on some medical conundrums:

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Ken Jeong cast in 'Crazy Rich Asians'

Ken Jeong

DON'T FEEL SORRY for Ken Jeong, who learned earlier this week that his TV sitcom Dr. Ken had been cancelled by ABC after two seasons.

He barely had time to say goodbye to the cast and crew of his show when it was announced that he had been cast in the movie Crazy Rich Asians, a romantic comedy directed by director Jon Chu and based on the novel of the same name by Kevin Dwan.

Although the character he would portray hasn't been revealed, wouldn't it be fitting that he plays the role of lead male character Nick Young's father, who also happens to be a physician. Before he became an actor, Jeong was a real life doctor. Dr. Ken was inspired by Jeong's transition from doctor to comedian.

Filming of the Kevin Kwan novel is already underway in Singapore and Malaysia. Jeong will be joining the all-Asian cast that will also feature  Constance Wu, newcomer Henry Golding, Gemma Chan, Awkwafina, Michelle Yeoh and a host of other actors from Australia, Singapore and the U.S.

Before he got his own sitcom, Jeong was best known as Mr. Chow in The Hangover franchise and Ben Chang in the NBC hit Community, 

The time is now! Register to vote

Actor Ken Jeong urges people to register to vote.

OCT. 24 is the deadline for registering to vote in California. 

Besides being the fastest-growing racial group in the U.S., Asian/Americans have the highest income and are the best educated – both factors that have traditionally produced high voter turnout.

However, as a voting bloc, Asian/Americans don’t. In fact, they have the lowest voter participation of any demographic group.

The growth of the ethnic group is mainly due to immigration meaning a large portion of AAAPIs are first-generation immigrants. One of the reasons for low voter turnout is the language barrier even though it is required that voter assistance should be given to anyone having difficulty with the ballot.

In 2014, the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund received more than 340 complaints from Asian/Americans reporting problems voting. More than 1 in 5 of these grievances involved being asked to prove their U.S. citizenship in states that don’t require ID to vote. Generally, only a few people in those states would have to provide proof of citizenship.

Another common problem among Asian-American voters is mistakes with their names, causing them to not show up correctly on voter rolls. He said Asian-American names may be unusual to people entering the voter roll data.

This election cycle there has been an aggressive voter registration drive among Asian/Americans by the major parties and nonpartisan agencies.

The anti-immigrant and racist tenor of the rhetoric has also driven AAPI to register. It is still unclear how successful those efforts have been.

RELATED: Hateful rhetoric dries AAPI voters to the Democrats

AAPI celebrities have joined other celebrities by lending their time and names to the registration drives including Darren Criss and Jenna Ushkowitz

Because of the anti-immigrant rhetoric coming from the Trump camp, Asian/American voters have been steadily drifting towards the Democratic Party. This leftward movement has actually been happening over the past several presidential elections. A national survey in the spring by Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote, a nonpartisan research group, showed “a significant leftward shift” since 2012 among Asian-American registered voters,

RELATED: AAPI voters lead towards Democrats

A majority of Asian-American voters – 55 percent overall – supported Al Gore in 2000, while John Kerry garnered 56 percent support from these communities in 2004. More recently, President Barack Obama was re-elected to the White House in 2012 racking up 73 percent of the 4 million Asian-American voters who cast ballots that November – up from the 62 percent support he received in 2008.

Fifteen percent identified as Republican.

The Clinton campaign and Democratic Party have been the most aggressive in wooing the AAPI vote and appointing them to highly visible roles, including long-time Clinton aide Huma Abedin, who has been by the candidates side since her days in the Senate.

RELATED: Clinton targeting AAPI voters

Hillary Clinton’s campaign has a resident staff member in Las Vegas dedicated to Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders. Staff members and volunteers here speak Chinese, Korean, Hindi and Tagalog. The campaign has recently been conducting native language training on how to use voting machines in a local Chinese cultural center. Volunteers are sent to court supporters in Buddhist temples.

Comedian Aziz Ansari who stars in the Netflix hit Master of None, aims his PSA at the undecided voters.

Although the number of AAPI voters is comparatively small, 4-6 percent, in some states and cities, such as swing-states Nevada and Virginia, they make up a larger percentage and could be determining factors in the vote outcome.

In California, people can register to vote online.

Once registered, go out and vote this November.