1 in 3 AAPIs experienced racism this year, poll reveals
November 14, 2023
Despite efforts to combat anti-Asian racism, about 1 in 3 of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) report experiencing racial or ethnic abuse in the past year, according to a poll by AAPI Data and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.
The results: The survey reveals that 15% of respondents believe they have been victims of hate crimes, with 51% considering racism a serious problem in the U.S. Among the 1,178 respondents of Asian, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander descent, about a third reported experiencing racism, including verbal harassment, slurs, physical threats and cyberbullying.
According to the data, 23% of AAPIs have experienced verbal harassment or abuse in the past year and 22% have reported instances of being called racial or ethnic slurs. About 10% of respondents also say they have been physically assaulted or faced physical threats. Additionally, around one-third of AAPIs state that they often or sometimes encounter discrimination based on their race or ethnicity when applying for jobs.
Views on U.S. leaders: The poll, which was conducted from Oct. 10 to 20, also revealed lukewarm feelings toward President Joe Biden among Asian Americans, emphasizing the need for the Democratic Party to avoid taking AAPI voters for granted.
“It seems like he’s more performative and he’s trying to say whatever the people want to hear. Also, I understand he’s of an older age, not that all people of that age are Joe Biden. But mentally, I think he’s not all there,” respondent Jennifer Lee said, according to AP News.
As for Donald Trump, he is viewed unfavorably by seven in 10 respondents. None of the current Republican candidates mentioned in the poll received favorable views from more than one in four respondents. Additionally, two candidates of Indian descent, Vivek Ramaswamy and Nikki Haley, are largely unknown to at least four in 10 AAPIs.
Reduction in anti-Asian racism: The survey shows that respondents are not optimistic about a reduction in anti-Asian racism, with 40% believing they are likely to face discrimination within the next five years. Stephanie Chan, director of data and research at Stop AAPI Hate, hopes that the poll will reduce ignorance about anti-Asian discrimination, emphasizing that it also extends beyond hate crimes.
“People’s daily lives are impacted by things like verbal harassment or bullying in schools or online acts of hate or civil rights violations,” Chan said. “Like not even being allowed to dine at a restaurant or stay at a hotel or being rejected for an Uber ride. I would say pay attention to these. These are the experiences that we’re having in America today.”
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