This Tuesday, President Joe Biden signed a memorandum condemning anti- Asian American and Pacific Islander rhetoric, providing guidance for government agencies to work with AAPI community organizations to promote culturally relevant practices, and taking responsibility for the role the Federal Government has played in stoking xenophobic, divisive sentiment against AAPI individuals.

 

Racism against AAPIs has long been left out of social justice discourse, and many AAPIs in America have been made to feel caught between privilege and prejudice. The pandemic and the rise in AAPI hate have highlighted severe disparities across marginalized AAPI groups, with Pacific Islander populations disproportionately affected by COVID-19 yet often left out of testing (Vox), Filipino/a nurses making up nearly a third of COVID-19 related deaths among nurses (National Nurses United), and Asian women 2.4 times more likely to be the targets of hate than Asian men (AAPI Stop Hate). These examples underscore the need for disaggregated data and culturally-responsive responses.

 

We applaud the new administration’s treatment of this as a priority impacting the safety and well-being of our communities. Although there is still much work to be done, we are optimistic about the Presidential Memorandum as an important first step in uplifting AAPI communities and promoting racial equity. We will continue to work with our community partners to support their knowledge and expertise towards improving the lives of all AAPI individuals.