The Western democracy advocating one person one vote and placing individual freedom and rights on the highest pedestal has an intrinsic flaw that is the political system tends to divide the society. The system requires individuals or small groups to unite together by making compromises and trade-offs to form coalition to achieve a compromised objective. In the U.S. the white race has been a dominating majority over the past three centuries, hence they have dominated the political system. Under the white domination and the historical influence by colonialism, racial discrimination persists in America despite of a significant strive made legislatively. The Chinese exclusion Act was terminated in 1943. The United Nation adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. The Civil Rights Act was created in the U.S. in 1964 after the Martin Luther King movement. These legal progresses will not be fully effective until political equality is realized.
Asian Americans were a small population before the above civil rights laws and some immigration laws were enacted. The Asian American population has grown at fast pace in this century from 11.9 million in year 2000 (4.2% of 281.4 million) to 24 million in year 2020 (7.2% of 331.9 million 2021). Correspondingly, the Asian American voter population increased from 4.6 million (2000) to 11.1 million (2022). a 242% increase. From election politics point of view, this is a huge change. A decade ago, when Asian American population is less than 5%, Asian voters were ignored because of their small number and they tend to be evenly divided between the two parties, Democrats and Republicans. In recent years, the Asian Americans not only increased in population but also became more interested in politics due to the following reasons: awareness of racial discrimination, increase of hate Asian crime and specific political policies targeted at Asian Americans, for example the college admission policy tilted unfavorably to Asian Americans and the China Initiative directed at persecuting Chinese American scholars and scientists who may have academic or industrial contacts with China. As a result, more Asian American organizations have begun to speak out on political issues and encourage Asian Americans to get involved in American politics.
A number of phenomena have taken place in the Asian American communities. First, there is more bonding being generated (some through mixed marriages) among Asians from different origins including Chinese, Indians, Cambodians, Vietnamese, Filipinos, etc. in organized fashion. Second, According to AAPI data, there are increasing number of common issues that matter to all Asian Americans. There is increasing and improving voting record from 2016, 2018, 2020 continued to 2021 for Asian Americans. We expect even better in 2022 and going forward. The Asian Americans voter turnout in 2020 was about 11% and 18% less than black and white voters, respectively, especially worse for 18-24 age group. However, this trend is likely to change from 2022 onward judging from recent survey responses. Traditionally, Asian Americans were ignored by both parties, 60% not contacted by democrats and 70% not contacted by Republicans (2016 data), but the latest 2022 data from AAPI showed 52% of Asian Americans have not been contacted by the political parties. One of the purposes of this article is calling out the attention of political candidates and their parties to notice the increasing interest in politics among Asian Americans hence their political power. For example, At least 22 Asian American candidates are running for offices in the November election and next year’s city elections in the state of Illinois. This does not include Asian Americans running in other local races across Illinois. Illinois is the 10th state ranked by percentage of Asian Americans population in the country. In the following, the author calls political parties' attention on a YouTube video, 'World According to Briggs', where Briggs highlighted the top ten states having the highest Asian American population in percentage of state population.
The top 10 states ranked backwards are:
10. Illinois has 6.4% of Asian Americans in state population and 6.4%
counting Mixed Asian Americans. The total Asian Am population is 810,000.
9. Maryland has 6.9% of Asian Americans in state population and 7.4% counting Mixed Asian Americans. The total AA population is 451,587.
8. Massachusetts has 7.2% of Asian Americans in state population and 7.46% counting Mixed Asian Americans. The total AA population is 451,587.
7. Virginia has 6.9% of Asian Americans in state population and 7.6% counting Mixed Asian Americans. The total AA population is 664,354.
6. Nevada has 8.7% of Asian Americans in state population and 9.43% counting ed Asian Americans. The total AA population is 306,000.
5. New York has 10% of Asian Americans in state population and 10.4% counting Mixed Asian Americans. The total AA population is 1.8 million.
4. Washington has 9.6% of Asian Americans in state population and 10.3% counting Mixed Asian Americans. The total AA population is 815,223.
3. New Jersey has 10% of Asian Americans in state population and 10.4% counting Mixed Asian Americans. The total AA population is 923,911.
2. California has 15% of Asian Americans in state population and 16.58% counting Mixed Asian Americans. The total AA population is 6.5 million.
1. Hawaii has 37.6% of Asian Americans in state population and 57.2% counting Mixed Asian Americans. The total AA population is 802,510.
The above statistics should raise the two major political parties' attention, not only about the population growth of the Asian Americans but also their political concerns. Again, there are more Asian American organizations such as AAIP, 1990, 1440, OCA, China Institute, U.S.-ChinaForum, Committee 100, etc. becoming more active and visible in presenting Asian Americans political views. Just cite a few voter survey opinions to emphasize this point:
- Two third of Asian Americans plan to vote in 2022 election.
- 51% of Asian Americans prefer to vote by mail or drop-off.
- Political issues ranking among Asian Americans: Healthcare 88%, Crime 86%, Economy 85%, Education 82%, Gun Control 75%, followed by Voting Rights, Racism, Foreign Policy, ….
- 77% favor stricter gun control, 61% strongly agree and 59% Agree.
- Two to one opposes ban on books and teaching on racism.
- Media source for Asian Americans, TV 65%, Facebook 32%, Print news 36% and also YouTube particularly favored by Vietnamese.
The above is just a small sample of survey data available upon search. The author urges the Asian American community participate more in political surveys. The author also urges political parties pay attention to these results and the Asian American political power boosted by their economic standing in the American society. After all, this is the only fair way that we can improve our democracy.
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