AAPI in the Public Eye | Bill Imada & Kathy Ko Chin | Talks at Google

TL;DR

Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPI) discuss the importance of civic engagement and the challenges facing their community, including racialization and the need for stronger political representation.

Transcript

ALLEN LO: All right. Well, thank you. Welcome, all of you who are here in the room and those of you who are joining us on live stream. This is part of AAPI Heritage Month. AGN is happy to host today's panel called AAPI in the Public Eye, White House Commissioners on Civic Engagement. So welcome to all of you here. We'll have some time at the end fo... Read More

Key Insights

• 🖐️ WHIAAPI plays a crucial role in engaging and addressing the needs of the AAPI community at a federal level.
• 😀 AAPI individuals face unique challenges, such as racialization and stereotypes, that hinder their political representation and engagement.
• 🏛️ To overcome these challenges, it is important for AAPI individuals to be proactive, build alliances with other communities, and support progressive candidates and causes.
• ❓ Disaggregated data collection is vital to understanding and addressing disparities within the AAPI community.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is WHIAAPI and what is its purpose?

WHIAAPI, the White House Initiative on Asian American Pacific Islanders, is an organization within the White House responsible for engaging the AAPI community and ensuring their issues are addressed by the federal government.

Q: Why did some commissioners decide to resign from WHIAAPI after Trump was elected?

Some commissioners, such as Kathy Ko Chin and Tung Van Nguyen, explained that they stepped down because they felt they couldn't effectively serve the AAPI community under the new administration. They believed they could have a greater impact from outside the commission.

Q: What were some of the accomplishments of WHIAAPI over the last few years?

WHIAAPI has achieved significant results, including increased healthcare coverage for Asian Americans, improved enrollment in the Affordable Care Act, and the collection of disaggregated data to better understand the diverse needs of AAPI communities.

Q: How can the AAPI community increase their involvement in civic action?

The panel suggests that AAPI individuals need to stand up and speak out more, as there is often a cultural reluctance to do so. Building strong relationships with other communities and working in coalition on issues of common concern is also essential.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The panel discussion focuses on the White House Initiative on Asian American Pacific Islanders (WHIAAPI) and its role in engaging and representing AAPI communities within the federal government.

• Commissioners and experts discuss the achievements of WHIAAPI, including anti-bullying efforts, healthcare enrollment, and the collection of disaggregated data.

• The panel also addresses the racialization of AAPI individuals, the importance of political activism, and the need for stronger political representation within the AAPI community.