Advocacy Beyond Recognizing AAPI Heritage Month

The U.S. Immigration Policy Center (USIPC) and the National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA) recently released data revealing that individuals from Asian countries comprise the largest group of new American citizens, making up 37% of those who have been naturalized since 2020. This data is crucial to understanding the contributions of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities, especially during AAPI Heritage Month.

The naturalization of such a high number of individuals from Asian countries highlights the essential role that AAPI communities play in the U.S. AAPI communities persist despite historic discriminatory policies like the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 or Executive Order 9066, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt authorized the incarceration of over 120,000 Japanese Americans in 1942. Unfortunately, despite their contributions, AAPI communities continue to experience discrimination in the U.S., both interpersonally and systemically. We witnessed a troubling increase in anti-Asian sentiment at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, a trend that continues to this day.

This hostility toward AAPI communities manifests itself in various forms, from verbal harassment to physical attacks, creating an environment of fear and anxiety for many Asian Americans. However, the surge in overt racism is part of a deeper issue of discrimination and marginalization.

One recent example of systemic discrimination is the California Department of Public Health's (CDPH) exclusion of Asian American Pacific Islander communities from their categorization of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities with special needs. Despite compelling evidence demonstrating that AAPI communities qualify for this designation, the CDPH's decision effectively denied these communities access to essential mental health funding. This exclusion is particularly concerning given the mental health challenges that many AAPI individuals (particularly youth) face, which is often exacerbated by experiences of racism and xenophobia.

At Oasis, we take a firm stance against racism and discrimination. As such, we have signed on to a letter drafted by the Racial & Ethnic Mental Health Disparities Coalition (REMHDCO), urging CDPH to meet with the Asian American & Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus and other community organizers to address the omission of AAPI communities in CDPH-administered projects.

The importance of advocacy extends beyond this one incident and involves uplifting the value and rights of the AAPI community as a whole. We call for recognition, respect, and equitable treatment ensuring that all marginalized communities have the resources they need to thrive.

As we celebrate AAPI Heritage Month, it is essential to recognize both the achievements and the challenges faced by AAPI communities. By acknowledging the contributions of new Asian Americans and addressing the discrimination they face, we can work towards a more inclusive and just society.

To learn more about the impact of naturalization on the AAPI community, read the full report on citizenship data.

Published May 20, 2024