As the threat of the Covid-19 has receded, the threat of anti-Asian bias still remains in the U.S.
But many activists and politicians are working to finding ways to stand up against the discrimination. And some are pointing to an executive order dating back decades. In 1999, President Bill Clinton signed an executive order, effectively creating The White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Americans, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANAPI). President Biden has now recently worked to expand upon the initiative.
The need to revive this initiative on a national level was spearheaded by various regional movements. On January 23, the University of Michigan’s faculty’s Senate Assembly approved a statement condemning racism against those of Asian and Pacific Islander descent. One element of their statement in particular speaks to the core of the issue: slander one of us you slander all of us:
“Whereas anti-Asian racism in the United States has historically operated such that anger initiated against one Asian group/ethnicity inevitably expands to target all people who are perceived to be of Asian or Pacific Islander descent.”
UC Davis Chancellor Gary S. May stood in alliance with the stand against hate in his February 2 “Chancell-ing” column “Hate Is The Virus We’re Fighting Now.” May spoke on behalf of the University of California coalition “Hate-Free Together.” Their goal is to “condemn hate and all forms of bigotry…work to create safety among our diverse community…and cultivate change so we can break the cycle of hate”
The initial executive order signed by President Clinton has been upheld, each president signing an executive order to reestablish it, the premise being to “advance equity, justice, and opportunity for AA and NHPI communities”, according to hhs.gov. The order established a federal Interagency Working Group (IWG) to reach across different agencies to coordinate strategies. Within the IWG are senior executives representing 45 different departments, agencies, and offices. President Biden’s own signing took place in May of 2021, amidst the rise of anti-Asian hate. Biden already had a mind for areas of concern when it came to the initiative. The priorities to be focused on became: Promoting belonging, inclusion, and combating anti-Asian hate and discrimination, Data disaggregation for AA and NHPI communities, Language access for AA and NHPI communities, Promoting equitable and inclusive COVID-19 response and recovery efforts, Capacity building for AA and NHPI communities, Federal workforce diversity, and Outreach and engagement to AA and NHPI communities. (Yahoo news) On January 17th of this year, the Biden-Harris administration took it a step further by announcing their National Strategy to Advance Equity, Justice, and Opportunity for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) Communities in the spirit of the priorities set.
“You know, I ran for president to deliver the promise of America for all Americans.” Biden said as he addressed his new plan. “Delivering the promise of America is not the work of one department. It has to be the business of the whole federal government. And today I am proud to report that we have more than 90 federal agencies, including every Cabinet department, are releasing more than 300 concrete and intentional actions and commitments to address systemic barriers to prosperity, equality, opportunity and dignity everywhere.” Biden went on, encouraging citizens to visit whitehouse.gov/equity to see how different agencies are taking action to promote the goals of the initiative. Part of his plan includes the insistence on breaching the language barrier to allow more people to have access to information. Government sites have already begun to include as many as 20 languages to accomplish this. Associate Attorney General, U.S. Department of justice Vanita Gupta spoke to the complications of language and inability to access information because of it. “Language access can be the difference… between life and death.” Gupta said, “Being able to access public safety professionals if something is going wrong, being able to access any type of program for benefits.”
Being able to access information is important but language access is important for other reasons as well. Stop AAPI reported, “One in five incidents involve language scapegoating of Asian-Americans, including Indians, by wrongfully blaming them for Covid, espionage or economic insecurity.” The elimination of a language barrier through the incorporation of them will do more than give information but may also supply desperately needed aid. The integration of language can both inform and protect.
Biden’s expansion on Clinton’s initiative is more specific when it comes to language and problems seen in today’s society that stand in the way of equity. Beyond the seven different priorities as a whole, Biden also has three focuses concerning major domestic policy: Combat anti-Asian hate and discrimination and promote greater inclusion and belonging of AA and NHPI communities, Promote greater language access for AA and NHPI communities, and Prioritize data disaggregation for AA and NHPI communities. He was clear that such a wholesome future is not immediately within reach. “Advancing equity is not a one-year project.” He continued, “It’s a generational commitment. These plans are an important step forward.”
The Biden-Harris administration has managed to incorporate action plans from 32 different federal agencies in their initiative in order to address the priorities and domestic policy focuses mentioned earlier. In addition, 50 independent agencies volunteered their time with the entirety of the Cabinet and Chief Financial Officer Act Agencies. Biden is also pushing for the support of different businesses and commerce. AsamNews reported, “Prior to the strategy’s unveiling federal agencies also began working to provide greater funding to the AAPI community. Federal spending from the Department of the Treasury and the Department of Agriculture on Hawaii and the Pacific Islands increased by over $80 million. In 2021 and 2022, the Small Business Administration provided over $5 billion worth of loans to AAPI business owners.” There are plenty that hail this focus on AA and NHPI communities as sorely needed, backing Biden’s push for equity.
Xavier Becerra, secretary of Health and Human Services commented on the struggle for Asian Americans and the path before both citizens and the government. “For too long, systemic barriers have put the American Dream out of reach for many Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, and racism and xenophobia against AA and NHPI communities continued to threaten the safety and dignity of countless families.” Becerra continued, “But now we have a choice. We can choose to stand for equity, justice and opportunity and not the status quo.” Some have already seen the community come together in solidarity towards the equity that Biden is promoting.
Daniel Dae Kim, actor, producer, and member of President Biden’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders spoke of the unity he has seen thus far. “I’ve never seen our community come together the way it has over the past few years.” Kim said, “And I’ve been so heartened by the support of this administration that has gone beyond the usual political rhetoric. So I look forward to continuing to work alongside the Biden-Harris administration to advance opportunities for the AA and NHPI communities across the country.” With so many internal agencies involved and pieces already moving to include and help the AAPI community, one can only hope the trend will continue in fashion, and the solidarity witnessed will become stronger to combat and overcome the negative and harmful mindsets still present in this country.