A recent report from the Asian American Foundation highlighted a significant gap between public perception and the actual experiences of hate faced by Asian Americans. The STAATUS Index 2024, a detailed study, examines the perceptions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs) in the US.
The survey, which included 6,272 participants nationwide, revealed striking findings. Dr. Paul Watanabe, AAC Chair, remarked, “Since its debut in 2021, the STAATUS Index has uncovered hidden perceptions and stereotypes that have given rise to racism against AANHPIs throughout our long history in the US and during the Covid-19 pandemic. Unless we understand and continue to struggle against these deeply rooted views, they will persist and threaten the wellbeing of AANHPIs when the next crisis emerges.”
The study found that only one-third of Americans believe that hate against Asian Americans has increased, contrasting with the AANHPI community’s experiences of violence and discrimination. Over the past year, 32% of Asian Americans have been called a slur, and 29% have experienced verbal harassment or abuse. These numbers are even higher among subgroups like Southeast Asian Americans. Additionally, a significant portion of Asian Americans fear becoming victims of physical attacks (41%) or discrimination (59%) due to their race, ethnicity, or religion.
Furthermore, the study revealed that many Asian Americans feel a lack of belonging and acceptance. It also noted increasing doubts about Asian Americans’ loyalty to the United States. Alarmingly, one in three Asian Americans reported being “the subject of hate this past year.”
To combat racism, the study suggested three key strategies: teaching the history of Asian Americans in K-12 schools and colleges, increasing the visibility of Asian Americans in society, and creating more opportunities for interaction between Asian Americans and other communities.