Congressional bill would promote teaching AANHPI history in US schools

EMILY NAKAJIMA

Most US tudents rarely hear about the contributions of AANHPI to American history.

It is often said that history is written by the victors. In the case of the United States, the "victors" stole land from the indigenous peoples, enslaved Blacks, grabbed land from Mexico and banned immigrants from Asia.

Large parts of America's story was written from the white viewpoint often ignoring, short shrifting and even erasing the stories of non-white communities and individuals, the accomplishments, contributions and stories of Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Island Americans.

US Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), and US Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) on Wednesday  introduced a bill that would partially tell the missing chapters about Asian Americans Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islander. According to recent surveys, thy are still thought of as "foreigners," despite having a presence in the US and making American history for centuries.

“Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders have made invaluable contributions to our nation – yet for far too long, our history has been ignored and overlooked in the classroom,” said Meng, Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.

The Teaching Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander History Act introduced by the two lawmakers, is bicameral legislation to promote the teaching of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) history in schools across the country.

AANHPI have made and continue to make immeasurable contributions to our nation, including in sports, arts, government, science, business, and military service. However, the K-12 education system and social studies textbooks have poorly represented how AANHPIs have played pivotal roles in shaping America for the better. In a recent survey by The Asian American Foundation, 42% of respondents were unable to name a famous Asian American, and 42% were unable to name a famous Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander.

 “The Teaching Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander History Act aims to change that. I am proud to reintroduce this legislation with Senator Hirono to ensure that our stories are taught in schools and textbooks, especially at a time when AANHPI communities are under attack by those who wish to erase our achievements and sacrifices. AANHPI history is American history, and it deserves to be honored for generations to come.”

“Teaching Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander history is critical to gaining a better understanding of the discrimination and prejudice endured by the AANHPI community, as well as our community’s many accomplishments,” added  Hirono. 

“As diversity, equity, and inclusion continue to be attacked by the Trump administration, this legislation would help increase awareness of the history, contributions, and experiences of the AANHPI community. I am proud to reintroduce the Teaching Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander History Act with Representative Meng to give our students a better understanding of the roles the AANHPI community has played in history and help dismantle harmful stereotypes and discrimination.”

Rep. Grace Meng (left) and Sen. Mazie Hirono introduced legislation in support of teaching
AANHPI contributions and achievements to US history.

Specifically, the Teaching Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander History Act would:

• Require grant applications from Presidential and Congressional Academies to include AANHPI history as part of their American history and civics programs offered to students and teachers;

• Encourage the inclusion of AANHPI history in national and state tests administered through the National Assessment of Educational Progress; and

• Promote collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution's Asian Pacific American Center to develop innovative programming regarding AANHPI history.

The bill faces an uphill climb as it must pass the GOP-dominated Senate and House, both of which have shown its Republican members to succumb to Trump's anti-diversity edicts. Even those Republicans representing large AANHPI communities, such as California's Rep. Young Kim, who represents Orange and San Bernardino counties, home to  substantial Asian American communities, has been consistent in voting against her community interests by going along with Trump's anti-DEI policies.

Nevertheless, the legislation drew praise and support from leaders in the AANHPI communities.

“Ensuring that Asian Pacific American History is taught in our classrooms across the country is critical for the progress of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities,” said Gregg Orton, National Director of the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA). 

“The continued disregard of APA history - including the stories, experiences, and contributions from our AANHPI communities in curriculum has led to the erasure of many generations," Orton continued. "This key bill would allow our students across the country to see themselves, while educating others on the importance of understanding our roots and cultural history. Stories of our communities' resilience and perseverance are integral to the cultural fabric of our nation.”

“This bill is needed today more than ever given the ongoing attacks on inclusive education," said John C. Yang, President and Executive Director at Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC. “Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander histories should be taught in every classroom along with other underrepresented histories, including African American, Latino, and Native American histories. We are doing a grave disservice to the next generation if they do not learn the whole history of our nation. Teaching diverse curricula is critical to building a better, more inclusive future.”

“Ensuring that the rich and vital history of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders is taught in our schools isn’t just about representation, it’s about providing all students with a complete and accurate understanding of American history,” said Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). “The Teaching Asian Pacific American History Act is an important step toward acknowledging the immeasurable contributions of AANHPI communities, addressing the roots of discrimination and fostering a more inclusive and informed future for all our students so that they can navigate an increasingly diverse and complex world.”

“Every student deserves to see themselves reflected in their education, and to learn about the experiences and cultures of the diverse communities that make up our nation's history,” said Mannirmal Kaur, Senior Federal Policy Manager of the Sikh Coalition. 

“Diverse educational materials don’t just instill a sense of belonging and empowerment in students from marginalized communities—they cultivate empathy and awareness and among all students, providing a more well-rounded education for every child," continued Kaur. "It is our duty to provide all of our children with a meaningful and holistic education so that they may better understand the world they live in, and the Teaching AANHPI History Act will bring us one step closer towards that goal.”

“OCA proudly endorses Senator Hirono and Representative Meng’s Teaching AANHPI History Act,” said Thu Nguyen, Executive Director of OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates. “This bill represents a historic step in uplifting AANHPI communities by ensuring our stories and presence are included in our nation’s school curricula. 

"For years, OCA has advocated for the inclusion of AANHPI narratives in K-12 education because our history is American history, and it deserves to be taught as such," said Thu Nguyen, Executive Director of OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates. "Incorporating these stories is essential to combating discrimination and fostering greater understanding and empathy. We appreciate Senator Hirono and Representative Meng’s continued leadership in advancing this bill and look forward to seeing its impact.”

“Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander history is marked by tremendous contributions to our nation’s progress, alongside painful experiences of exclusion and discrimination,” said Gary Locke, former US Ambassador to China and Chair of the Chinese American nonprofit Committee of 100. “It’s essential that students learn the full story—from the challenges to the triumphs.”

“We strongly support the Teaching Asian Pacific American History Act,” said Huy Pham, Executive Director of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans in Historic Preservation (APIAHiP). “At APIAHiP, we know that history lives not just in textbooks, but in the places, memories, and lived experiences of our communities. This bill is a critical step toward ensuring that Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander stories are not erased, but rightfully included in our national narrative. By expanding access to AANHPI history in classrooms, we help students of all backgrounds understand the full complexity of America’s past — and empower the next generation to preserve, honor, and protect the places that carry those histories.”

“For our children to appreciate the diverse tapestry of this Nation, they must learn the full breadth of the American experience, which inextricably includes the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander community,” said Priya Purandare, Executive Director of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA). “Our history is not an elective; it is essential."

“The National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce & Entrepreneurship (National ACE) proudly supports the Teaching AANHPI History Act,” said Chiling Tong, President and CEO of National ACE. “Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders are a vital part of America’s story. Recognizing their contributions and challenges is essential for fostering a more inclusive and comprehensive understanding of our history. We extend our gratitude to CAPAC Chair Meng for her leadership in advancing this important effort.”

“The Indian Diaspora Council International expresses its full support for ‘Teaching Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander History,’ which is integral to understanding the origins, history, traditions and culture of a significant segment of our population, thereby enhancing our diversity and strength,” said Ashook Ramsaran, President of the Indian Diaspora Council.

Several states have recently implemented mandates for public schools to teach Asian American history, recognizing the need to include diverse perspectives in American history curricula. Illinois was the first state to require a unit on Asian American history in 2021, and since then, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Florida have followed suit. Other states are considering similar measures including California, home to the largest number of AANHPI, and Hawaii, the only state where AANHPI are in the majority.

These mandates aim to prevent anti-Asian hate and provide all students with a more comprehensive understanding of US history and a broader perspective that includes viewing the AANHPI peoples as fellow Americans.

From the building of the railroads to Silicon Valley, ffrom the Chinese Exclusion Act to military heroism defending democracy, from scientific discoveries to Olympic championships, from the fields of Hawaii and California to the White House, AANHPI have been active in making America's story and those stories  must be told.

“At a time when the Trump administration is actively working to undermine the teaching of accurate history by minimizing the deep, lasting harms of slavery and attempting to erase the contributions of people of color, this legislation is essential,” said Margaret Huang, president and CEO of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC). “The SPLC strongly denounces the president’s efforts to mask racism and white supremacy as patriotism.”

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

Facts are facts; Asian Americans are, well, complicated

PEW ILLUSTRATION

In the 1970s when the Japanese, Chinese and Filipino students on US campuses coalasced around being Asian American, little did they foresee the hurdles they would encounter in their own fast-changing ethnic communities.

Fast forward to today, because of the population shift from US-born Asians as the majority to a population where recent immigrants are in the majority, the more than two-dozen nationalities and ethnic groups would prefer to do away with the umbrella, all-inclusive term "Asian American" and be seen as separate communities such as Chinese Americans, Indian Americans, Filipino Americans, etc. -- each with unique history, cultures, languages and other characteristics.

        FYI: Read Pew's findings about Asian Americans

When combined, US-born and recent immigrants, the Asian population is nearly 25 million, or 7% of the US population.

An annual survey released in conjunction with Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the Pew Research Center found that the ethnic and national communities in the Asian American communities with roots in Central, East, South and Southeast Asia, is more complicated, more diverse representing more than two dozen countries of origin.

Unfortunately, the Pew analysis did not include Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders.

The differences between Americanized Asians (those born in the US and those who have lived here for more than 10 years is constantly changing as a constant stream of newcomers arrive on US shores and earlier immigrants become more accustomed to the America's realities such as race relations, family values and political realities.

Recent immigrants are more likely than US-born Asians to describe themselves using specific ethnic labels and are less likely to use some form of "American" when referring to their identities. To them, their country of origin is more central to their identity than identifying as "American."

        RELATED: Asian communities may have outgrown the term "Asian American"

Despite the diffeerences in self-identity, both new immigrants and US-born Asians see commonalities with other Asians. About 60% of Asians say what happens to other Asians affects them, and more than two-thirds believe it's very or extremely important to have a national leader advocating for Asians in the US.

The AAPI populations continues to grow. The 25 million Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders now making up to 7% of the US population. The majority of AAPI is made up the six largest groups with Chinese Americans still  the largest group with 5.5 million making up 22% of the total Asian population.

The next five largest groups are: Indian Americans, 5.2 million (21% of the Asian population); Filipino Americans, 4.6 million (19%); Vietnamese Americans, 2.3 million (9%); Korean Americans, 2.0 million (8%) and Japanese Americans, 1.6 million (7%).

The Pew Research Center created fmore detailed act sheets for the six largest ethnic Asian American communities: Chinese Americans,  Indian Americans, Filipino Americans, Vietnamese Americans, Korean Americans and Japanese Americans.

In the Pew treasure trove of AAPI facts, another interesting trend appears to be happening. Immigration, which made AAPI the fastest growing segment of the US population for the last few decades appears to be slowing down. In several groups, such as Filipino Americans and Hmong Americans, immigrants are no longer are in the majority. Japanese Americans have historically dominated by the US-born. The downward trend, however, can be seen in all groups as AAPI immigrants settle into the US and establish communities, businesses and and feel more economically secure, they establish families. The children of those immigrants join the ranks of the US-born. 

If the trend continues and the AAPI communities become more assimilated, and as the second-generation become more influential and dominant, there might be a shift back to identifying Asian American for the sake of gaining political clout and cultural  prominence.

Nevertheless, as of 2025, immigrants still make up the majority of AAPI. Taking into account the natural birth rate of the combined US-born and immigrant population adding to the AAPI newcomers traveling across the Pacific or as immigrants through a third country, the AAPI community  is still the fastest growing ethnic segment of the US population, surpassing the growth rate of Latino Americans, or Hispanic Americans.

The diversity among AAPI groups is also notably reflected in household income. While overall, AAPI households, immigrant and US-born,  have higher incomes ($105,600) than other Americans ($75,500) the AAPI also have the widest income gap. Indian American households have the hihghest median income ($151,200), Mongolians median household income is only $54,200.

Part of the wide diversity in household income is due to the United States' immigration policies that prefers  highly-educated, high-skill immigrants and -- up until the Trump administration -- was lenient towards refugees. 

Besides income potential, the results also shows up in education attainment. AAPI have the largest percentage of adults, immigrants and US-born, with a bachelor degrees, (57% and 56% respectively) compared to other Americans, US-born (38%)  and immigrants (35%).

RELATED: Despite the wealth of information provided the Pew Research Center, available for the general public, journalists, academics, marketers  and pollsters, the Social Tracking of Asian Americans in the US, (STAATUSindex) a separate survey commissisoned by The Asian American Foundation, found that stereotypes continue to persist as the general image of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.

The annually updated Pew fact sheet for AAPI goes on to provide useful information on the population centers, political, gender, generational and religion proclivities of the AAPI communities.. 

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

 

Trump issues AANHPI Heritage Month proclamation

Tulsi Gabbard, left and Usha Vance.

On May 16, Donald Trump chose to highlight the Vice President's Indian American wife and Samoan American Tulsi Gabbard in his proclation for Asian American, Native American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

"In the 1980s, Lakshmi and Radhakrishna Chilukuri immigrated from India to the United States and dedicated their lives to higher education.  They built a life in America and raised a family, their daughters Usha and Shreya, instilling in them the values of hard work, perseverance, and a love of learning.  Their daughter, Usha, now serves as the Second Lady of the United States," the proclamation stated. 

"Tulsi Gabbard, a native of American Samoa, has dedicated her career to protecting our Republic, serving in the military and now as the Director of National Intelligence," continued the statement.  

"Today, more than 77,000 Asian American and Pacific Islanders heroically serve our Nation in the Armed Forces.  Their stories, along with many others, have helped build a stronger, safer, and more prosperous country."

        FYI: Read the entire proclamation here.

It is noteworthy that both Usha Vance and Tulsi Gabbard were both Democrats and only recently switched politicalpaarties.

"This month, we honor the proud legacy of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and their contributions to the vast constellation of all our national triumphs.  They are woven into the fabric of our Republic, reminding us that the American spirit is one of resilience, independence, and relentless pursuit of freedom and opportunity," the proclamation continued.

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

  

FilAm rapper Ruby Ibarra wins Tiny Desk competition; plans include a national tour

Ruby Ibarra

Ruby Ibarra, a Filipino American rapper, is  taking a major step in her music career after learning that she won the 11th annual Tiny Desk Contest.

On Tuesday's Morning Edition, NPR Music announced the winner of the 11th annual Tiny Desk Contest. 

"Tiny Desk is one of the few platforms where music is truly celebrated and artists get to uncompromisingly showcase their artistry, lyrics and stories," Ibarra tells NPR. "I'm grateful and overjoyed to be able to share my music in a space where so many of my musical influences have performed. To me, winning this Contest means to be recognized as a songwriter, and is an affirmation that I'm on the right path as an independent artist from the Bay Area."

The performance of  "Bakunawa," a combination of rap and singing in English and Tagalog, was chosen from nearly 7,500 submissions from independent artists across the country, the Bay Area artist captivated the judges with her striking originality, lyrical depth and commanding presence.

"Ruby's stunning Tiny Desk contest submission was the very first to be featured on our top shelf and the last one standing." 

Tiny Desk producer Bobby Carter tells NPR,  "'Bakunawa' covers all the bases: beautifully arranged music, passion and above all authenticity. We've never seen or heard anything like Ruby Ibarra. She's special and she's ready."

FYI: Watch her perform the winning entry, "Bakunawa," here.

IIbarra, who worked as a health scientist in the Bay Area, took the leap to full-time musician and performer in a few years ago.

Her raps often switches between Tagalog and English with the overriding themes of Pinoy Pride and empowerment, which makes her unique. She's been on the verge of "breaking out," for several years. Her Filipino American raps provided the background music for The Cleaning Lady television series, which centers around an undocumented immigrant Filipino family.

RELATED: From Fanny To Madam Wong's & The GRAMMYs: How The Asian Community Has Impacted Rock

Ibarra says about "Bakunawa: "The song's title is in reference to the Philippine mythology about a bakunawa (dragon) who swallows the moon; similarly, this song interprets the story as a metaphor for resistance and a battlecry against erasure. This song, for me, is a statement that my daughter is my revolution and my hope that she will be liberated from the effects of our cultural history."

She continues to tell Grammy.com, the song "features these amazing, incredible artists who are all Filipinos as well. Han Han, who’s a singer and an MC, Ouida from San Francisco, who is this amazing vocalist, and last but, of course, not least June Millington, who’s just a badass rock guitarist and singer. She was part of this incredible band from the 1970s called Fanny, an all-female band. To have done a collaboration with such a powerhouse of a lineup was just a dream come true. The music video and the live performance video… was just the icing on the cake for me to be able to come together in person."

As this year's winner, Ibarra will perform an intimate concert behind NPR's iconic Tiny Desk in Washington, D.C., joining the ranks of artists like Bad Bunny, Sabrina Carpenter, Doechii and Usher, as well as acclaimed past Tiny Desk Contest winners, such as Fantastic Negrito, Gaelynn Lea and last year's winner, The Philharmonik.

Following her Washington D.C. showcase, Ibarra will embark on the Tiny Desk Contest On The Road tour, bringing her music to audiences across the country.

TINY DESK CONTEST TOUR

The Tiny Desk Contest On The Road tour, which brings the winner to stages around the country, will be bigger and better than ever this year. Audiences will have an opportunity to see this year's winner perform live in 10 cities, alongside a showcase of vibrant local music at each stop. And, new this year, each city will also feature a special surprise Tiny Desk alum as the headlining act.

        FYI: Tickets for the tour are on sale now at our Tiny Desk Contest tour page.

Curiously, the performances in Texas and Colorado are already sold out. Below are the scheduled stops along the 2025 Tiny Desk Contest On The Road tour:

June 11: The Regent Theater , Los Angeles (Station partners: KCRW, LAist)

June 13: Lagunitas Brewing Company, Petaluma, Calif. (Station partners: KQED, KALW, NorCal )

June 16: The Wonder Ballroom, Portland, Ore. (Station partner: OPB)

June 23: Thalia Hall, Chicago (Station partner: WBEZ)

June 25: The Basement East, Nashville (Station partner: WNXP)

June 27: Mohawk , Austin, Texas (Station partner: KUTX) — Sold Out

June 29: Bluebird Theater, Denver (Stations partner: KUVO) — Sold Out

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

Filipino American goes back to her roots to win a Pulitzer

Percussionist Susie Ibarra plays traditional Philippine instrument, the kulintang.

The Philippines' rain forests and mountains provided the inspiration for a Filipino American musician's composition that won this year's Pulitzer Prize in Music.

Susie Ibarra, 54, went back to her roots to win a Pulitzer. Herwork about ecosystems and biodiversity interwoven through her musicianship and improvisations skills resulted in Sky Islands, a musical tribute to the Philippines rich and fragile ecosystem Filipino American goes back to her roots to win a Pulitzer Prize, a prestigious award given annually

Since 1917, the Pulitzer Prize is awarded annually to recognize excellence in journalism, literature, and music.

Ibarra’s Sky Islands draws sonic inspiration from the broadleaf forest ecoregion of northern Luzon, the largest island in the Philippines archipelago. Her musical tribute to the rich and fragile Philippine ecosystems features the interlocking rhythms and melodies of Philippine Northern style bamboo, gong, and flute music, performed on new sound sculptures of gong metals titled Floating Gardens.

The title of her work, Sky Islands, refers to the mountaintops of Luzon's mountainous region. “Sky islands” are distinct ecosystems at high altitude ranges, known for becoming hotspots for biodiversity and unusual forms of life. Geographically isolated with few or no outside predators, sky islands are home to many species of small mammals that don’t exist anywhere else in the world,

Her Pulitzer-winning composition is a musical call to action, highlighting Luzon’s rainforests—an endangered region with 31 endemic species. “Sky islands” are distinct ecosystems at high altitude ranges, known for becoming hotspots for biodiversity and unusual forms of life. Geographically isolated with few or no outside predators, sky islands are home to many species of small mammals that don’t exist anywhere else in the world, making them wondrous areas where we can see evolution “sped up.”

Born in Anaheim, California, Ibarra is the founder of Susie Ibarra Studio and, with artist-musician and engineer Jake Landau, the label and publisher Habitat Sounds. Ibarra leads several ensembles including Talking Gong Trio.

Sky Islands premiered on July 18, 2024 at the Asia Society, New York, N.Y. The composition  will have its West Coast premiere on the June 8 program of the Ojai Music Festival.

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

US blocked from deporting undocumented immigrants from Asia

Some immigrants from Asia have already been deported to Central American countries.

Immigrants from Asia were saved from being deported to Libya by a federal judge eaerlier this week. They were on the tarmac in Texas  waiting for the flight to Libya when they received the judge's order.

US District Judge Briaan Murphy on May 7 said the deportation of the noncitizen immigrants from the Philippines, Vietnam and Laos would violate his earlier ruling that people have the right to challenge their removal by US authorities.

Tin Thanh Nguyen, told the news agency Reuters that his client, a Vietnamese construction worker from Los Angeles, was among the immigrants woken in the early morning hours and bussed from an immigration detention center in Pearsall, Texas, to an airfield where a military aircraft awaited them.

After several hours, they were bussed back to the detention center around noon, the attorney said on Thursday.

Murphy's ruling was in response to an emergency motion by the Asian immigrants' lawyers who claimed their clients were in "imminent" danger of being deported to Libya -- "a country notorious for its human rights violations."

Sending the would-be deportees to Libya or Saudi Arabia without giving them a chance to raise concerns about their safety "blatantly defies this Court's preliminary injunctions," lawyers representing the migrants argued in an emergency motion filed in federal court in Boston, where Murphy last month issued a preliminary injunction barring the Trump administration from deporting noncitizens to any country other than their place of origin without due process.

“The allegedly imminent removals, as reported by news agencies,” the judge said, “would clearly violate this Court’s Order.”

“The Department of Homeland Security may not evade this injunction by ceding control over non-citizens or the enforcement of its immigration responsibilities to any other agency, including but not limited to the Department of Defence,” Murphy added.

Since the illegal deportations of alleged Venezuelan gang members to El Salvador, US judges have blocked further deportations under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, which was last used to incarcerate Japanese American citizens during World War II.

Libya, meanwhile, denied that it has agreed to received deportees from the United States. Libya has been locked in a civil war since strongman Omar Ghadafi was killed 11 years ago.

The Libyan government, "categorically denies the existence of any agreement or coordination with it regarding the reception of any migrants deported from the United States,” the party in power said.

The plan to deport would-be deportees to Libya was first reported by Reuters. 

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio last week hinted that Washington was looking to expand the number of countries where it may deport people beyond El Salvador.

“The further away from America, the better,” Rubio said at a cabinet meeting at the White House last Wednesday.

Abuses against detained migrants in in Libya have been widely documented, with UN investigators saying they had evidence of possible crimes against humanity, including accounts of murder, torture, enslavement, extrajudicial killings and rape.

The Trump administration had deported 152,000 people as of May 5, according to Department of Homeland Security.

Dawn raids and the threat of being arrested at work , school or during a regularly scheduled check-in with ICE, have spread fear and uncertainty among people across the US, including more than 1.3 million people from Asia, amid Trump's crackdown against immigrants without documentatin.

Nguyen said his client, whose name he wouldn't reveal, said his client was told: ‘We’re deporting you to Libya,’ even though he hadn’t signed the form, he didn’t know what the form was,” according to Reuters.

Nguyen told the news agency his client, originally from Vietnam, has lived in the US since the 1990s but was complying with the law by checking wi with the government when he was detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) earlier this year.

"Many people are now afraid to go to work, visit their places of worship, attend school, or even seek medical care out of fear of encountering immigration enforcement," said Martin Kim, immigration advocacy director for the Washington-based civil rights group Asian Americans Advancing Justice — AAJC.

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

AANHPI remain invisible in US so stereotypes flourish

The United States has been commemorating Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander month since 1990 but in the eyes of most Americans, AANHPI people remain largely unseen and when they are noticed, they appear too foreign and mysterious to have as a friend.

Racial stereotypes baked into American culture and society still color the perceptions of AANHPI despite having been in the US before it became a country

Apparently, because few people have little interaction with Asian Americans or have them as friends, stereotypes  have fertile ground to flourish, according to the just released results of the  Social Tracking of Asian Americans in the US (STAATUS) Index – the leading national study of Americans’ perceptions of AANHPI communities released May 1 to kick off AANHPI Heritage Month.

Longstanding stereotypes, deep-seated misperceptions, and media, culture, and information consumption habits continue to shape how AANHPI are viewed by other Americans — often in stark contrast to their lived realities, 

"In 2021, we launched the STAATUS Index to explore how Asian Americans were being scapegoated, invisibilized, and viewed through the lens of toxic stereotypes during the pandemic,” said Norman Chen, CEO of The Asian American Foundation, which produced the study.

        FYI: Read the entire 2025 STAATUS Index

“Five years later, the data shows there is a growing perception that Asian Americans are more loyal to their countries of origin than to the U.S.—a reflection of the rising belief in the 'perpetual foreigner' stereotype,” said Chen.

“The 2025 STAATUS Index also underscores a troubling and ongoing disconnect between how Asian Americans are perceived and how we actually experience life. That has real consequences for our safety, sense of belonging, and pathways to prosperity in this country,” Chen added. 

According to te survey, most Americans do not see the hate and discrimination suffered by Asian Americans and as a result, increasingly think Asian Americans are treated fairly – but Asian Americans continue to feel unsafe in day-to-day spaces and more than 3 in 5 fear they will be victims of discrimination in the next five years.

Making friends is difficult

One troubling finding is that AANHHPI are basically invisible to America as a whole. • Over the past five years, many Americans are unable to name a famous Asian American. Jackie Chan, who is not American, continues to be the most popular answer. This year, 42% could not name a famous Asian American. 

STAATUS INDEX

Despite Olivia Rodrigo, Bruno Mars, and former Vice President Kamala Harris, large swaths of Americans also cannot name a single famous Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander (54%) figure, or a significant event involving Asian Americans (53%). 

Furthermore, 1 in 4 Americans have no primary relationship with an Asian American – highlighting how invisible Asian Americans are in US society. 

Perhaps contributing to that invisibility, the survey found 1 in 4 Americans have no primary relationship (like a friend, neighbor, co-worker, family member, etc.) with an Asian American person.

One of the reasons there might not be more relations between AANHPI. people and others, the survey found 28% of Americans agreed at least somewhat with the idea that Asian Americans are less friendly to non-Asian Americans. The top-cited reason this year was that “Many Asian Americans appear to interact only with other Asian Americans.” (51%) apparently dismissing the two-way street necessary for relationships with their  AANHPI neighbors or coworkers.

Steretypes shape perceptions

The pervasive and harmful “model minority myth,” inparticular, continues to dominate perceptions of Asian Americans in the workplace.

As in previous years, the adjectives Americans most often use to describe Asian Americans are: “Intelligent/smart/educated” (40%), “Hard-working,” (24%), and “Kind/nice/thoughtful” (16%).

East and South Asian Americans are seen as more reliable and respectful than white Americans, but less assertive and charismatic. As leaders, East Asians and South Asians are perceived as having less authoritative leadership styles than white Americans.

STAATUS INDEX

Pop media perpetuates stereotypes of AANHPI men and women::

• 37% of Americans draw a blank when asked about Asian American male actors in TV or movies, and the types of characters or roles that come to mind. Out of those who could think of someone, the top responses are Martial Arts/Kung Fu (15%), Jackie Chan (8%, and who is not American), and Comedic/Funny Characters (6%).

• For Asian American actresses, invisibility remains a huge problem. 44% of Americans come up with nothing when asked about characters or roles for Asian American actresses in TV or movies – more than for men.

• The next most popular responses are: Lucy Liu at (6%), followed by the stereotypical Kung Fu/Martial Arts (5%), and Intelligent/Smart/Nerd/Geek (4%), tied with doctors (4%).

Hate? What hate?

The disconnect between reality and perception continues in regards to the rise of anti-Asian hate that rose dramatically during the pandemic and fueld further by anti-Chinese rhetoric from the first Trump administration. 

Americans increasingly think Asian Americans are treated fairly – but Asian Americans continue to feel unsafe in day-to-day public spaces and more than 3 in 5 fear they will be victims of discrimination in the next five years.

• 48% of Americans believe Asian Americans are “treated fairly” – a five-year high, and up from 30% in 2021. Yet almost half (49%) of Asian Americans were insulted because of their race in the past year, 36% indicated they were harassed or threatened, and 15% were physically attacked or assaulted.

• 63% of Asian Americans report feeling unsafe in at least one daily setting, with public transit (33%) and online spaces (26%) remaining areas of high concern for Asian American safety.

• 63% of Asian Americans believe it is at least somewhat likely they will be victims of discrimination based on their race, ethnicity, or religion in the next five years, compared to 33% of white Americans.

• Asian Americans (40%) are far less likely than white Americans (71%) to completely agree that they belong in the U.S. and are least likely to feel they belong in online spaces/social media and their neighborhoods.

A wealth of information in the STAATUS index found: 

• 40% of Americans believe that Asian Americans are more loyal to their countries of

origin than to the US, doubling since 2021. This lack of trust is resonant with historical discrimination of Asian Americans - for instance, only 44% strongly agree that the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II was wrong.

• Amid tensions between the governments of the US and China, more than 1 in 4 Americans are concerned that Chinese Americans are a threat to U.S. society, especially around national security. As a wave of state legislatures consider legislation aimed in part at restricting Chinese nationals from purchasing property, 4 in 10 Americans support laws to prevent foreign citizens residing in the U.S. from owning land.

• Among younger Americans, there is a notable reliance on social media (mainly TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube) to learn about AANHPIs. Global pop culture products such as Japanese anime (43%) and Korean TV dramas (42%) are popular sources among 16-24-year-olds to learn about Asian Americans, showing many are mistakenly conflating content from Asia with domestic Asian American cultures and experiences.

• Americans continue to view Asian Americans as “smart, hardworking, and nice.” perpetuating the model minority myth. In the workplace, East and South Asian Americans are seen as more reliable and respectful than white Americans, but less assertive and charismatic. As leaders, East Asians and South Asians are perceived as having less authoritative leadership styles than white Americans.

• Despite the lack of understanding of the lived realities of Asian Americans, nearly 80% of Americans support specific initiatives aimed at uplifting Asian American communities, with 41% backing legislation requiring Asian American history to be taught in schools. This comes as recent strides to expand Asian American studies face pushback as debates about curriculum intensify.

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

Nicole Scherzinger, Darren Criss and Daniel Dae Kim lead record number of AANHPI Tony nominees

On the verge of history, from left, Darren Criss, Daniel Dae Kim and Nicole Scherzinger.

This year could be the watershed moment artists of Asian, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander descent have been waiting for with a record number of AANHPI nominated for Tony awards, announced May 1 by Tony Award winners Sarah Paulson and Wendell Pierce.

Filipino Americans Nicole Scherzinger, Darren Criss and Conrad Ricamora were nominated for their roles in their respective musicals. Korean American Daniel Dae Kim became the first Asian American to be nominateed for his lead dramatic role.

If Scherzinger, Criss or Kim win in their categories, it will be the first time an Asian American artist has won a Tony for a lead role in over 30 years. The last time an Asian American won a Tony in a lead role was 1991 when Lea Salonga won for her history-making role in Miss Saigon.

The American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League announced the nominees for the 78th Annual Tony Awards, celebrating excellence in Broadway theatre for the 2024–2025 season. The nominations, revealed by Tony winners Sarah Paulson and Wendell Pierce, reflect both artistic range and growing cultural diversity on the Great White Way.

        FYI: Complete list of 2025 Tony nominees.

Former Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger earned a nomination in Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical. Her role as an aging actress in Sunset Blvd. garnered rave reviews and has made her as one of the favorites to win in this category. She has already won an Oliver Award, Great Britain's equivalent to the Tony, for the role in the same category, Scherzinger is a strong contender in this category.

“I have worked many, many years to build up to this moment, and it’s changed my life,” said Scherzinger.

Darren Criss, a past Emmy and Golden Globe winner is a double nominee for his show Maybe Happy Ending. Criss, who got his breakout role in TV's musical drama Glee, got nods for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role and as one of the show's producers, he could possibly win another Tony for Best Musical. 

Maybe Happy Ending, based on a South Korean TV drama,  earned 10 nominations,  including one for Filipino American Clint Ramos for Best Costume Design of a Musical. With so many nominations, some critics were surprised that Helen Shen was overlooked as a lead actress.

Daniel Dae Kim, best known for his television roles in Lost and Hawaii Five-O, has been an outspoken advocate for more AANHPI representation in the performing arts, was nominated for his first Broadway role in David Henry Hwang's revival ofYellow Face, which questions the role of race in media and politics. Kim's nomination for Best Performance By a Leading Actor in a Play was the first for an Asian actor.

Yellow Face also won a nomination in the Best Featured in a Play Actor category for Francis Jue, Kim's costar, who played the main character when the play debuted on Broadway 20 years earlier.

Filipino American actor Conrad Ricamora -- who most people will recognize for his role in the TV drama, Murder She Wrote -- will also compete against Jue in the Best Performance by an Best Featured Actor in a Play category for his portrayal of Abe Lincoln in Oh, Mary!

Middle easter performer,Tala Ashe, who most people know for her role in the soap opera As the World Turns, garnered a nomination in the Best Featured Actress in a Play category for her role in English. She'll be joined by her costar Marjan Neshat in the same category. Playwright Sanaz Toossi became the first Iranian-American to be nominated in this category. 

Surprisingly, Broadway favorite Salonga wasn't nominated for her performance in Old Friends, a revue of Stephen Sondheim songs that also starred fellow veteran stage artist Bernadette Peters. In fact, despite its sentimental star power, Old Friends didn't garner a single nomination.

The 78th Annual Tony Awards will return to the legendary Radio City Music Hall in New York City next month. Hosted by Tony, Emmy, and Grammy Award-winner and three-time Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo, the Tony Awards will broadcas live to both coasts on Sunday, June 8, 2025 (8 – 11 PM ET/5 – 8 PM PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ in the US.*

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

50th Anny of the end of the Vietnam War passed almost unnoticed

EDITOR'S NOTE: I wrote the post below 10 years ago on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War on April 30, 2025. with a little editing and cleaning up, it still fits the sombre anniversary.

The Vietnam War changed America in so many ways. The realization Americans didn't always wear the white hats -- good guys that we imagine ourselves to be -- as we ride in like the calvary is still many people cannot understand and accept.

The war aalso brought in hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese refugees who have found homes in the United States, raised families and tried their best to integrate themseves into a country so strange to them. We're a better country for their presence, something that too many people still don't understand.

The lies and propaganda that led to US involvement and to wage a war we should not have fought has led us to distrust our government officials, military leaders and so-called "experts." We've learn to question the men and women who we once believed acted in the best interest of the people.

It was wrong for some ant-war protestors to spit on the returning soldiers or call them "baby-killers." I wish that never happened

The anti-government sentiment --vnurtured by then-Presidents Nixon, Johnson and Kennedy --still lingers and divides us.

The 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War doesn't call for celebration. It passed by almost unnoticed in the day's newscasts and front pages. To the young people of today, it might seem like ancient history. Most of the men and womenwho fought in the war in Vietnam and fought against the war in America's streets are senior citizens today, the younger generations' fathers and grandfathers.

We're still struggling to bring our country back together again, fractured fy those who don't like the dark events in the war itself and surrounding the war, or the lessons that we all can learn from that chapter of US history that is still being written.

The Vietnam Memorial rises from the depths as one of it's legs points towards the Washington Monument.

Originally posted in 2015.

I COULDN'T let today, April 30, 2015, go by without mentioning the 40th Anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War.

The Vietnam War Memorial is one of the most emotionally moving monuments in Washington D.C. Designed by Maya Lin, a 21-year old Chinese American student, the memorial design was initially criticized because critics thought it was making a negative political statement. Critics wanted something more heroic and patriotic.

The simplicity of the design belies the emotion welling up inside you as you descend one of the legs of the V-shaped memorial. You read the engraved names as you descend down the path -- one name, two, four, until you get to center of the V. There are so many names the columns of names of the dead are over your head. Then it hits you in the gut. The sheer number of names of those American servicemen who died in that war is overwhelming. Over 58,000 of them. I went to high school with some of them. Some are relatives.

You look up and amidst the engraved names, the polished black granite reflects an image of the visitor. Then you get a second jolt with the realization: All these soldiers, they died for you. A few were my high school classmates. I was related to two others.

No matter what your political beliefs are, you can't help but be moved. It took an effort to hold back the emotions welling up inside me.

Then visitors walk up the slope of the other leg of the V. Thousands of names, hundreds and finally a single name. You have come out of the wedge that divided our country;  away from the black granite with all those names; away from the depths. In the distance you can see the Washington Monument. You can see the horizon again.

I stopped to take a deep breath and to gather up my emotions. The monument is genius. Lin wanted visitors to walk by, take selfie and then return to your tour bus. Her design allows the visitor experience her work and eventually to become part of the monument.

Located discreetly amongst the trees near the memorial was another monument. It was a more traditional statue dedicated to the women who served in that war. In that era, women were not allowed in combat units so most women served in support units, like the combat nurses depicted in the statue. At the base of the statue was a note that took my breath away.

"I can't remember your name but I just wanted to say thanks for saving my life." It was signed, "One of many."

The tears came forth.

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