Perceptions of AAPI Communities in US Worsen, Report Finds

The overall perceptions of Asian Americans are worsening in the US as most Americans fail to understand Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) experiences, confirmed the latest findings from Leading Asian Americans to Unite for Change (LAAUNCH) and The Asian American Foundation (TAAF), to coincide with AAPI History Month.

The results of the second annual “STAATUS” Index – Social Tracking of Asian Americans in the US, which analyses American attitudes of Asian Americans, reveals that nearly one third of Americans are unaware of anti-Asian violence; despite a nearly 340% increase of attacks against Asian Americans in 2021. It also highlights that 71% of Asian American respondents say they are discriminated against in the US today.

ENDING AAPI HATE

Americans are more likely to question the loyalty of Asian Americans and blame them for Covid-19 in 2022 than they were in 2021. One in five (21%) of respondents agree that Asian Americans are at least partly responsible for Covid-19. This is up from 15% in 2021.

Asian American respondents rank stronger laws and greater protection (number 1); and education (number 2) as the top solutions to end AAPI-Hate. In comparison, non-Asian American respondents rank education (number 1); and more interaction with the AAPI community to better understand Asian American experiences (number 2) as top solutions.

INCLUSION & BELONGING

Additionally, 32% of respondents agree Asian Americans are more loyal to their perceived country of origin than to the US; compared to 20% in 2021. Asian Americans are among the least likely to feel like they belong and are accepted in the US; especially younger Asian Americans. Only 29% of Asian American respondents completely agree that they feel that they belong and are accepted in the US; the lowest of all racial groups (61% of White respondents and 33% of Black respondents).

Asian American youth and women rate an even lower sense of belonging and acceptance in US society; just 19% of Asian Americans between 18-24 and 66% of Asian American women compared to 75% of Asian American men. Around 72% of Asian Americans who are born outside of the US feel that they belong and are accepted in the US; while only 67% of Asian Americans born in the US feel the same.

Yet the majority of Americans cannot name an AAPI historical moment more recent than World War II Internment. When asked to identify the roles of Asian Americans in the entertainment industry, 10% of respondents said they often see Asian women portrayed as sex workers. Additionally, 29% of respondents said they often see Asian American men as kung fu masters and criminals. On an encouraging note, 71% of respondents said they would like to see more Asian Americans in TV and movies; with younger and very liberal respondents the keenest.

PERSISTENT STEREOTYPING

Asian Americans still go unseen despite Americans acknowledging their economic and cultural contributions to the US, revealed the report. Over 70% of respondents believe that Asian Americans have benefited the US. However, 58% of Americans are unable to name a prominent Asian American. Up from 42% in 2021. The most prominent Asian named was Jackie Chan, who is not Asian American.

“In 2022, 58% of Americans can’t name a prominent Asian American and respondents most frequently identify Asian women and men in stereotypical roles like Kung Fu masters, criminals, geisha, sex workers and supporting roles. Prejudices continue to be reflected and perpetuated in film and media; which impacts how we view each other every day,” highlighted Eric Toda, Board Member of LAAUNCH and Advisory Council Member of TAAF. “However, 71% of Americans – especially our younger generations – want to see greater Asian American representation in TV and movies. While we have seen some progress with leading Asian actors in movies like Shang-Chi, Crazy Rich Asians, Everything Everywhere All at Once and popular series like Pachinko, we need to increase visibility of Asian Americans by considering how we are portraying Asian characters; writing multi-dimensional narratives; and casting Asian Americans into mainstream, leading roles.”

SUPPORTING ASIAN AMERICAN CULTURE

“This year’s STAATUS Index is very alarming as it makes clear that attitudes toward Asian Americans are getting worse; not better at a time when our communities continue to come under attack,” stated Norman Chen, Co-Founder of LAAUNCH and CEO of TAAF. “The survey found Asian Americans are more likely to be blamed for Covid-19 than we were in 2021; more likely to be questioned for our loyalty to the United States; and that we are among the least likely to feel that we belong in this country.

“These results reveal just how deeply embedded anti-Asian sentiment is in America right now; fuelled by generations of systemic racism that has pervaded every aspect of our society and culture. Although this year’s Index paints a more sobering picture of the status of Asian Americans than our inaugural survey last year; having an accurate and shared understanding of how Asian Americans are perceived is the only way any of us – advocates, policymakers, business leaders, and everyday Americans – will know what solutions need to be pursued. We clearly have a tremendous amount of work to do to ensure Asian Americans are fully – and finally – embraced in this country; but I am hopeful that the more we all understand the depth and breadth of these issues, the harder we will work to rectify them,” Chen said.

PROMOTING POSITIVE NARRATIVES

LAAUNCH and TAAF are working closely with leading AAPI scholars and research/data organisations, including AAPI Data and Stop AAPI Hate; to raise awareness about the Index’s results and pursue actionable programming that tackles bias against Asian Americans. For example, TAAF’s areas of focus include improving public education curricula so that AAPI history is better taught in schools; supporting more data and research on AAPI experiences; and promoting positive and diverse AAPI narratives in the media, film, and television – all efforts aimed at addressing the root causes of harmful anti-Asian attitudes.

The survey aims to highlight harmful misperceptions of Asian Americans that are leading to the unprecedented rise in scape-goating and anti-AAPI violence; and is based on a national sample of 5,113 US residents. LAAUNCH and TAAF plan to release the STAATUS Index survey annually to track changes in American perceptions regarding Asian Americans. Click here to find out more about the report.