Image by Stacy Nguyen/NWAW
Compiled by Staff
Northwest Asian Weekly
This month, for API Heritage Month, President Barack Obama addressed more than a thousand Asian and Pacific Islander (API) American leaders at the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) gala dinner in Washington, D.C.
This year, the number of candidates running for Congress has tripled from recent election cycles. While past polls have shown that political candidates and parties have generally ignored API voters, candidates may soon realize that engaging these voters will play a key role in sealing the fates of close elections in key states where APIs are the fastest growing racial group.
With elections approaching, local API leaders and community members sound off in response to the question, “Are APIs better off under the Obama administration?”
Understanding APIs
“On the one hand, yes, absolutely — APIs are better off under the Obama administration. After knowing about the president’s ties to Hawaii and his Asian American relatives, I felt a new sense of kinship and representation when he was inaugurated. Knowing that he knows something, anything, about the API experience beyond history textbook paragraphs is a big step forward for me.
My uncle, Nisei writer Hiroshi Kashiwagi, was invited to the White House for its Evening of Poetry last year. [Obama] has a visible and, from what I can see, active initiative on Asian American and Pacific Islanders [Americans]. These are events [in] which I have a hard time envisioning under any previous administration.”
Tamiko Nimura, writer and editor, Tacoma
Immigration
“I am concerned about a number of API-related issues under the Obama administration’s watch. One of the very first is the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), with its authorization for indefinite detention.
When the president signed that act, even with reservations, many of us (especially Japanese Americans like myself) were dismayed, shocked, and angry. I am also concerned about the administration’s high number of deportations, which affect Southeast Asian and other immigrant populations.”
Tamiko Nimura, writer and editor, Tacoma
Appointing APIs to higher positions
“[President Obama] has appointed Steven Chu and Gary Locke to senior positions in his administration (Secretary of Energy, and Secretary of Commerce/Ambassador to China, respectively). I think Steven Chu has done a great job with the energy plan that they have in place. The energy department has curbed environmental emissions, retrofit old buildings, and increased financial investing in renewable sources of energy such as solar and wind.
He has also appointed a ton of Asian federal judges. What else can he do?
I think these appointments are great! They are role models and can break the box of Asians wanting or being pressured into becoming a doctor. Public service is good work and those who serve are commendable, both as Democrats and Republicans.” Jason R. Lim, Seattle
“President Obama, having lived in Indonesia, is aware of the differing experiences and needs within the API community. Obama’s nomination of the new World Bank President, Jim Yong Kim, and key appointments of Asian Americans demonstrate his support for Asian Pacific Americans serving our nation in a higher, more visible capacity. Obama is better for Asian Pacific Americans politically,”
Suzanne Pak, CEO of immersion FORCE, providing affordable technology training for Washington’s disadvantaged communities, Seattle
Education
“Asian Pacific Americans fare about the same, education-wise. The ‘Race to the Top’ legislation by Education Secretary Arne Duncan sought to improve teaching standards and school choice. Unfortunately, Washington ranked near the bottom, 32th out of 36 states. Good teachers are becoming overwhelmed with an ever-increasing gap between student aptitude and what’s required for college.
“Under the Obama administration, Asian American students may be encouraged to expand their horizons and become civic leaders, which is a good thing, but the math and science curriculum in schools continue to fall further behind Asian and European nations. United States now sadly ranks 31st in math and 23rd in science among developed nations.
Suzanne Pak, CEO of immersion FORCE, providing affordable technology training for Washington’s disadvantaged communities, Seattle
Economy
“The majority of the Vietnamese are either holding professional jobs, [are] small business owners, or living below the poverty levels on government public assistance programs. Most of the Vietnamese [invest] in real estate and their wealth has been reducing significantly. … Public assistance funding has also been cut and government entities have been imposing many new taxes on small businesses in order to raise additional revenue to cover budget shortage.
Vietnamese real-estate investors are also spending their savings to hold on to the investments as their last resort. Hence, they did not receive benefits from many of the bank bail-out programs. Now, when their resources are running out, these government programs are no longer available, and banks are getting tougher on these homeowners.
More Vietnamese are facing financial distress today. Business owners also filed for bankruptcy due to lack of profits and tax burdens. Many of the public assistance programs have also been cut or reduced. Overall, life under the Obama administration for the Vietnamese in general has been a very difficult one. I think we are bearing more of a burden than other groups.”
Trong Pham, president of the Greater Vietnamese Chamber of Commerce, Seattle
“In a good economy, I would be more excited about President Obama’s outreach efforts to the Asian Pacific American community. But in a bad economy, it’s time for [an] all hands on deck [approach].
Now is not the time for each community to think narrowly about which group is getting recognition, but for all the communities to come together and succeed in turning our economy around. If America continues to decline economically, there is no group of Americans that can declare themselves better off. We are all in this together.”
Suzanne Pak, CEO of immersion FORCE, providing affordable technology training for Washington’s disadvantaged communities, Seattle (end)
The staff at Northwest Asian Weekly can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.