What’s the most important political issue to you right now?
What’s the most important political
issue to you right now?
“Gun violence.”
Gary,
67, Calif., Japanese American
“Immigration.”
Crystal,
30, Fla., Chinese American
“Mental health.”
Robert,
42, Mass., Chinese American
As we were preparing for our latest Times Opinion focus group — a discussion with 12 Americans of Asian descent and varied backgrounds — we decided to begin the conversation by getting a bit personal. We asked our participants questions about identity: how they see themselves and how they think other Americans see Asian Americans. It was one of our liveliest conversations from the get-go, with some participants expressing mixed feelings about the term “Asian American” itself, as well as about their feelings about assimilation, dating and how they are viewed at work.
A through line of the 90-minute focus group was their varied experiences with stereotypes in America, including on issues like hate crimes and affirmative action, both of which had an immediacy against the backdrop of recent mass shootings in California and a case before the Supreme Court, the outcome of which will determine the future of race-based admissions programs at top universities.
The shootings and the broader violence against Asian Americans left several participants thinking about mental health issues in their communities. And only two of the 12 participants said they supported ending affirmative action in college admissions.
As they thought about the future for younger generations of Asian Americans, many turned back to questions about identity and expectations. “I hope the next generation has a better balance between feeling like we can do and achieve anything we want and also still feeling connected to our own roots and not losing those in the process,” one participant said.
Participants
Bruce
65, Georgia, leans Republican, Chinese American, retired
Crystal
30, Florida, leans Republican, Chinese American, interior designer
Gary
67, California, Democrat, Japanese American, health care consultant
Jeannie
44, Texas, independent, Korean American, real estate agent
Jennifer
45, New York, Democrat, Korean American, fashion stylist
Jess
28, Wisconsin, leans Republican, Chinese American, architect
Magin
68, Arizona, independent, Filipino American, self-employed
Prima
56, California, leans Republican, Filipino American, physical therapist
Rich
52, Massachusetts, leans Democratic, Chinese American, unemployed
Robert
42, Massachusetts, independent, Chinese American, music teacher
Sethu
63, California, Democrat, Indian American, photographer
Vince
29, Illinois, independent, Vietnamese American, tech
Transcript
Moderator, Kai Chen Yeo
In a word or phrase, how do you think Asian Americans are viewed in the United States?
Rich,
52, Massachusetts, leans Democratic, Chinese American, unemployed
Hardworking.
Vince,
29, Illinois, independent, Vietnamese American, tech
Talented.
Jeannie,
44, Texas, independent, Korean American, real estate agent
Came here for a better life.
Magin,
68, Arizona, independent, Filipino American, self-employed
Thriving.
Sethu,
63, California, Democrat, Indian American, photographer
Hardworking. Keeping their nose clean.
Jess,
28, Wisconsin, leans Republican, Chinese American, architect
Model minority.
Jennifer,
45, New York, Democrat, Korean American, fashion stylist
They either think of us as crazy rich Asians or as silent — not going to kick up a fuss.
Prima,
56, California, leans Republican, Filipino American, physical therapist
Caregivers. Everybody thinks I’m a nurse.
Robert,
42, Massachusetts, independent, Chinese American, music teacher
Resourceful.
Crystal,
30, Florida, leans Republican, Chinese American, interior designer
Intelligent.
Bruce,
65, Georgia, leans Republican, Chinese American, retired
Very family oriented.
Gary,
67, California, Democrat, Japanese American, health care consultant
I would say “diverse.” There are a lot of different groups — like Chinese, Japanese, Taiwanese, Korean — but sometimes I think we’re all lumped together.
Moderator, Kai Chen Yeo
How do you feel about the term “Asian American”? Do you think it’s a useful way to group Asians of different ethnicities?
Jess,
28, Wisconsin, leans Republican, Chinese American, architect
“Asian American” does describe me pretty well. It is weird, though, because you don’t think of other people as South American or European. You differentiate by country. And I feel like a lot of people say “Asian American” because they don’t know what kind of Asian someone is.
Sethu,
63, California, Democrat, Indian American, photographer
We are grouped together too often. I do have to sometimes explain that I’m East Indian, which is slightly different than East Asian. I like the “American” part. But then the “Asian” is not quite there in terms of letting people know where I’m from.
Jennifer,
45, New York, Democrat, Korean American, fashion stylist
It’s a broad lump. I know none of my European friends say, “Oh, I’m Norwegian American.” And my friends don’t qualify me as Asian American. I think it’s more within the Korean community where they define you as, oh, Korean American.
Prima,
56, California, leans Republican, Filipino American, physical therapist
I usually say, “I’m Filipino,” and quickly qualify it with “but I was born here and raised in the United States.” With the term “Asian American,” it’s very important to specify that I was born here and raised here.
Does anyone else feel the need to qualify their identity?
Does anyone else feel the need
to qualify their identity?
4 people raised their hands.
Bruce, 65, Ga., Chinese American
Crystal, 30, Fla., Chinese American
Gary, 67, Calif., Japanese American
Jeannie, 44, Texas, Korean American
Jennifer, 45, N.Y., Korean American
Jess, 28, Wis., Chinese American
Magin, 68, Ariz., Filipino American
Prima, 56, Calif., Filipino American
Rich, 52, Mass., Chinese American
Robert, 42, Mass., Chinese American
Sethu, 63, Calif., Indian American
Vince, 29, Ill., Vietnamese American
Jennifer,
45, New York, Democrat, Korean American, fashion stylist
I just say, “Korean American.” My parents say that as well because they’ve been in this country for over 50 years. But some of their peer group, even if they’ve lived in the States for a decade, they just say Korean. They don’t quite feel assimilated enough to attach the “American” at the end of where they’re from.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Prima, you mentioned that people assume you are a nurse. I wondered about those assumptions that many people have about Asian Americans.
Prima,
56, California, leans Republican, Filipino American, physical therapist
I’m not talking so much about being Asian American but more so about being Filipino. I live in San Diego, where there’s a big Filipino population. And when people meet me, they just automatically assume I’m a nurse because Filipinos are nurses. That’s just the stereotype. Going back to something Jennifer mentioned about her European friends not feeling the need to say they’re European American but yet we have this Asian American thing — I think it’s just because when you look at us, we’re not white. So we have to have a disclaimer of what we are.
Do you feel you have things in common with
other minority groups in America?
Do you feel you have things
in common with other minority
groups in America?
9 people raised their hands.
Bruce, 65, Ga., Chinese American
Crystal, 30, Fla., Chinese American
Gary, 67, Calif., Japanese American
Jeannie, 44, Texas, Korean American
Jennifer, 45, N.Y., Korean American
Jess, 28, Wis., Chinese American
Magin, 68, Ariz., Filipino American
Prima, 56, Calif., Filipino American
Rich, 52, Mass., Chinese American
Robert, 42, Mass., Chinese American
Sethu, 63, Calif., Indian American
Vince, 29, Ill., Vietnamese American
Robert,
42, Massachusetts, independent, Chinese American, music teacher
I remember when 9/11 happened, Middle Easterners — through no fault of their own — were unjustly persecuted in America. Mosques were being defiled. And I see the same thing happening with Asian Americans in America now, where we’re targeted for random acts of violence by people because of Covid. And that’s through no fault of their own.
Vince,
29, Illinois, independent, Vietnamese American, tech
I don’t relate strongly to any other group. Maybe I share certain views on certain issues. But I identify strongly as Vietnamese American and as Asian American.
Prima,
56, California, leans Republican, Filipino American, physical therapist
I’m in the middle on this question. As an Asian, I find that we’ve been spared a lot of the worst discrimination other groups have faced. We often have had more opportunities than other groups have had. So I don’t feel as much of the disparity. And that’s why I can’t relate. I’ve been blessed to never feel that I’ve been discriminated against because of who I am. But I can also say that in certain social situations, I will migrate towards the other minorities. San Diego is so diverse. Culturally, I might relate more to other cultures that are more family oriented.
Gary,
67, California, Democrat, Japanese American, health care consultant
I feel the discrimination. I’m a Japanese American. My parents and my grandparents were in a concentration camp in World War II. They lost everything. They could only carry on the train what they could hold in their hands. There was a lot of discrimination. Even before World War II, it was against the law for Chinese people and Japanese people to buy land in California.
Prima,
56, California, leans Republican, Filipino American, physical therapist
Gary, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to say anything offensive in any way. And that’s why I say, as Asians, we’re so diverse. My family came over here because we joined the Navy in the Philippines. We assimilated ourselves into the American population. And that’s probably why I’ve been spared a lot of that. I’m sorry.
Gary,
67, California, Democrat, Japanese American, health care consultant
No, that’s OK. Everyone has different perspectives and different opinions, different experiences. And mine was deeply rooted just because it impacted our whole family.
Bruce,
65, Georgia, leans Republican, Chinese American, retired
I think there’s still some prejudice around, even if it’s not as bad as before. But sometimes, the prejudice doesn’t come from the white people. It comes from other minorities.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Bruce, anything you’ve particularly experienced yourself, personally?
Bruce,
65, Georgia, leans Republican, Chinese American, retired
When I was a kid in school, people who picked on me usually were the Black people and other Asian people. If you live in a Chinese community, the people who pick on the older group are usually the young Chinese people. And professionally, I’m used to encountering a lot of prejudice. You have to work harder to get ahead compared with white people.
Jess,
28, Wisconsin, leans Republican, Chinese American, architect
Yeah, I grew up in a predominantly white area. But the few Asians that were at my schools, I got a lot of pushback from them. When I wanted to join the Chinese club, they were like, “Oh, but do you speak Chinese? Are you first generation or your parents first generation?” And I don’t speak Cantonese or Mandarin. So they said I wasn’t Chinese or Asian enough for them. That was just really hurtful.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Some of you identify as Korean, Chinese, Indian, Vietnamese — what do people most misunderstand about your specific subgroup?
Crystal,
30, Florida, leans Republican, Chinese American, interior designer
I’m from South Florida. We really don’t have an Asian population. I think I have one other Asian friend here. Anytime someone meets me, they’re like, “Oh, what are you?” I was born and raised here. What do you mean, what am I?
Rich,
52, Massachusetts, leans Democratic, Chinese American, unemployed
I grew up in the city of Boston. I mixed in with people from a lot of different backgrounds. And I used to always get questions like, “Hey, do you know kung fu or karate?”
Jennifer,
45, New York, Democrat, Korean American, fashion stylist
Once they find out where you’re from, they start talking about the food that they’ve had or certain movies or K-pop. I get that whoever’s having that dialogue with me is trying to connect and find a common denominator. But at the end of the day, it just comes off as so disingenuous and a little bizarre.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
The feeling you’re left with, is it a feeling of frustration or more skepticism?
Jennifer,
45, New York, Democrat, Korean American, fashion stylist
It just comes across as unintelligent because they can’t understand me beyond the scope of that. Stretch yourself a little further to converse in a different way than “Oh, I’ve had kimchi before.”
Vince,
29, Illinois, independent, Vietnamese American, tech
To add to what Jennifer’s saying, I do sometimes ask other Asian Americans about their ethnicity. It is an effort to connect. But it also comes from a place of genuine curiosity about their culture and maybe the differences between my culture and theirs. I do realize you have to be sensitive about it because it’s not just a question that you can throw out at any moment. It has to be at the right moment, where the other person feels that there’s a sincere effort to connect.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Someone used the word “assimilation” earlier. Have you ever found yourself letting go of things that connect you to your family’s ethnic culture to fit in more, with American culture, for lack of a better phrase?
Crystal,
30, Florida, leans Republican, Chinese American, interior designer
I grew up in a predominantly white town. I stopped speaking Chinese, and now I can’t speak it. If I hear it, it’s very hard for me to understand anything. This was my first language until I started school. It’s a huge regret.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Was that a conscious decision because you wanted to fit in? Or was there a different reason?
Crystal,
30, Florida, leans Republican, Chinese American, interior designer
It was because there was a lot of racism in the little farm town where I grew up. People weren’t accepting. If my parents packed something crazy for lunch, I would get made fun of for it. People would be like, “Oh, my God, that smells so bad,” or whatever. We were always around people because my parents owned a restaurant. So in the restaurant, especially if my parents tried to speak to me in Chinese, I would answer back in English. Eventually, we just spoke English.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
And how do you feel about that now?
Crystal,
30, Florida, leans Republican, Chinese American, interior designer
It’s upsetting because I’d love to have children one day. My boyfriend is Serbian, and he holds on to a lot of his culture. And I really wish that I could pass that along to my children. But I really can’t. And I don’t know if my parents can, either, because they’ve let all that go, as well.
Jeannie,
44, Texas, independent, Korean American, real estate agent
I honestly feel like I haven’t had to change anything about myself to fit in. My mom and my dad got a divorce when I was really young, and I identified more with my Korean side because I grew up eating Korean food every day, eating with chopsticks, taking off my shoes when I come inside the house.
Moderator, Kai Chen Yeo
Do you think things have generally gotten better or worse for Asian Americans in the U.S. today compared with a generation ago? Or have things not really changed very much?
Robert,
42, Massachusetts, independent, Chinese American, music teacher
I think things have steadily progressed compared with when my parents came here and when their grandparents came here. But when it comes to certain stereotypes, I don’t think anything really has progressed as much. They’re seen in Western media, they’re seen in Hollywood, and I don’t know how we can get out of it. Even though we are a model minority, we have those stereotypes of being withdrawn, aloof. We’re kind of submissive. How do we break out of that, especially for future generations?
Jennifer,
45, New York, Democrat, Korean American, fashion stylist
My grandparents and parents were more concerned about assimilating. I think my generation and my peers, we suffered in a sense of, let’s say, the corporate workplace. Within our culture, it’s like, “Don’t kick up a fuss. Get along with everybody. Work hard.” And that doesn’t really work in corporate America, That doesn’t really get you to the C-suite. You have to voice your opinion. You have to think out of the box. You can’t just be a worker bee. Financial literacy is not really prevalent in Asian culture. It’s often, “Save, save, save.” But you should be making passive income. It shouldn’t just be sitting in a savings account.
Moderator, Kai Chen Yeo
Have you ever had an experience when you felt like being Asian has been a handicap?
Crystal,
30, Florida, leans Republican, Chinese American, interior designer
People just assume that I’ll do the work because they think I won’t fight them on it. I think a lot of people try to take advantage of that.
Jess,
28, Wisconsin, leans Republican, Chinese American, architect
When I’m on a project or something and I get praised, it’s always like, “Oh, yeah, of course Jess is going to do a good job.” And it’s inferred. There are other women. There are other people at my level. Here are other people with my experience. The only difference is that I’m Asian.
Robert,
42, Massachusetts, independent, Chinese American, music teacher
I’m thinking about the Asian stereotype of being very technical and mathematically adept. And that doesn’t apply to me whatsoever. It works against me, that stereotype, because even within my own family, my sister is a nurse, my dad’s an engineer. I’m a musician. I’m the only one that’s in a nontechnical role.
Vince,
29, Illinois, independent, Vietnamese American, tech
When I was in college, a really close friend of mine and I were talking about the dating scene. And she mentioned that she specifically doesn’t date Asian men. A part of me tries to rationalize that it doesn’t come from a place of malice. But the other side of me is like, “What is it about being Asian that makes you feel like the whole group is discounted like that?”
Moderator, Kai Chen Yeo
Later this year, the Supreme Court will release a decision regarding affirmative action in higher education. The lawsuits in the case before the court accused Harvard and the University of North Carolina of discriminating against Asian American students. Who here has been following the case?
Jennifer,
45, New York, Democrat, Korean American, fashion stylist
A little bit.
Moderator, Kai Chen Yeo
Jennifer, what’s been driving your interest in the case?
Jennifer,
45, New York, Democrat, Korean American, fashion stylist
I don’t know if they should dismantle that. I’m the only non-Ivy-attending person in my family. So I know they talk about it to an nth degree and their viewpoints on it. It doesn’t really affect me one way or the other. I don’t know how I feel about it, exactly, to be completely frank.
How many of you support the idea of ending
affirmative action in college admissions?
How many of you support
the idea of ending affirmative
action in college admissions?
2 people raised their hands.
Bruce, 65, Ga., Chinese American
Crystal, 30, Fla., Chinese American
Gary, 67, Calif., Japanese American
Jeannie, 44, Texas, Korean American
Jennifer, 45, N.Y., Korean American
Jess, 28, Wis., Chinese American
Magin, 68, Ariz., Filipino American
Prima, 56, Calif., Filipino American
Rich, 52, Mass., Chinese American
Robert, 42, Mass., Chinese American
Sethu, 63, Calif., Indian American
Vince, 29, Ill., Vietnamese American
Bruce,
65, Georgia, leans Republican, Chinese American, retired
I think that it should be based on merit. I know that some people are not as talented, but I think that we should all be judged by our performance. I think that everything in life should be merit based.
Moderator, Kai Chen Yeo
Prima, you had half a hand raised.
Prima,
56, California, leans Republican, Filipino American, physical therapist
I went to school a long time ago. And I got into U.C. Berkeley by merit. But I used affirmative action in order to get housing, in order to get extra scholarship. But it didn’t feel like it was fair. Why did I get extra help with those things? So that’s why I’m not sure that I agree that it even should be there.
Moderator, Kai Chen Yeo
Vince, you didn’t raise your hand.
Vince,
29, Illinois, independent, Vietnamese American, tech
I grew up pretty poor. My family didn’t have anything. And I think I felt, firsthand, poverty is intergenerational. When you have a system where people fall into these cycles of poverty, it’s really hard to get out of. I feel like that’s what affirmative action tries to address — there’s groups of people that have had opportunities taken away because of problems that happened generations ago that have never been fixed. This is an attempt to fix that. At the same time, I do understand that there must be, maybe, more transparency in the system itself or in the methods that are used to make decisions on who should be given more, who should have more resources allocated to them. It’s easy to feel like, “Oh, your opportunity was taken away and given to someone else.” The argument about meritocracy, I definitely understand that as well. But I feel like the method maybe needs improvement but doing away with it is not the solution.
Jess,
28, Wisconsin, leans Republican, Chinese American, architect
Yeah, I definitely don’t support ending affirmative action. I think that there are a lot of intangibles that need to be considered when it comes to college admissions. I don’t think it’s fair to just look at someone’s test scores and G.P.A. and for all that to be the sole criteria.
Moderator, Kai Chen Yeo
What’s the first word or phrase that comes to mind when you hear the words “affirmative action”?
Gary,
67, California, Democrat, Japanese American, health care consultant
A good thing.
Bruce,
65, Georgia, leans Republican, Chinese American, retired
Obsolete.
Crystal,
30, Florida, leans Republican, Chinese American, interior designer
A chance for people who wouldn’t have had it otherwise.
Robert,
42, Massachusetts, independent, Chinese American, music teacher
Opportunity.
Prima,
56, California, leans Republican, Filipino American, physical therapist
Handout — I feel awful that I even think that.
Jennifer,
45, New York, Democrat, Korean American, fashion stylist
Equal chance.
Jess,
28, Wisconsin, leans Republican, Chinese American, architect
Underrepresentation.
Sethu,
63, California, Democrat, Indian American, photographer
Necessary evil.
Magin,
68, Arizona, independent, Filipino American, self-employed
Case to case.
Jeannie,
44, Texas, independent, Korean American, real estate agent
Opportunity.
Vince,
29, Illinois, independent, Vietnamese American, tech
Imperfect.
Rich,
52, Massachusetts, leans Democratic, Chinese American, unemployed
Promotes diversity.
Moderator, Kai Chen Yeo
Do you feel like problems among the Asian American community are taken as seriously as problems among other racial groups?
Rich,
52, Massachusetts, leans Democratic, Chinese American, unemployed
I don’t think so. I think there was mention here of the idea that we’re a more submissive culture, where we really don’t speak up as much. I don’t think we have a lot of those rallies or whatnot out there to really make noise, raising issues and stuff. Because we don’t do that as much, I don’t think we really get things done sometimes.
Jeannie,
44, Texas, independent, Korean American, real estate agent
I feel like our problems are taken the same as any other group.
On a scale of 1 to 5, how much of a problem do you
consider racial discrimination against Asian Americans?
On a scale of 1 to 5, how much of
a problem do you consider
racial discrimination against
Asian Americans?
1 means discrimination is not a problem at all and 5 means discrimination is a critical problem.
1
No one raised their hand.
2
No one raised their hand.
3
Jeannie,
44, Texas, Korean American
Prima,
56, Calif., Filipino American
Rich,
52, Mass., Chinese American
Robert,
42, Mass., Chinese American
Vince,
29, Ill., Vietnamese American
4
Bruce,
65, Ga., Chinese American
Crystal,
30, Fla., Chinese American
Gary,
67, Calif., Japanese American
Jennifer,
45, N.Y., Korean American
Jess,
28, Wis., Chinese American
Sethu,
63, Calif., Indian American
5
Magin,
68, Ariz., Filipino American
Prima,
56, California, leans Republican, Filipino American, physical therapist
In my own life, a 1 or barely, maybe a 2. In the United States as a whole, I’d say 3.
Jennifer,
45, New York, Democrat, Korean American, fashion stylist
Four, but when it comes to the discrimination from a crime aspect, I think it’s 5.
Magin,
68, Arizona, independent, Filipino American, self-employed
I think it’s a 5 because it depends on what’s in the news today. A while ago, it was all about Kim Jong-un. So Asian Americans were all identified, in a way, with Kim Jong-un. It depends where our relationship with Asian countries is.
Robert,
42, Massachusetts, independent, Chinese American, music teacher
Being Asian can work for you or against you. A 3 is somewhere in between, not too extreme.
Moderator, Kai Chen Yeo
Magin referred earlier to the idea that outside factors, things that are being covered in the news, could affect where you land on that scale. Whether or not you identify as Chinese or Chinese American, have rising tensions between the U.S. and China affected your life in any way? Do you think it could affect the lives of Asian Americans in any way?
Rich,
52, Massachusetts, leans Democratic, Chinese American, unemployed
I think so. I have family members who always warn me to just be careful out there when I’m out and about in the city. I agree with Magin that the news does affect us a lot. We’ve been getting a lot of negative publicity recently, whether it’s the pandemic, TikTok being associated with spying, these balloons that’ve been floating around the U.S. All that stuff has been adding up.
Moderator, Kai Chen Yeo
Is there anything else that people have seen come up in the news that you think influences views of Asian Americans?
Jennifer,
45, New York, Democrat, Korean American, fashion stylist
The mass shootings in California. Usually, there’s a common profile: white, male, disgruntled. But this time, it was an Asian man who was jilted in the workplace. He got charged for damaging some equipment on the farm.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
What were your first reactions when you heard the news of the back-to-back shootings in California?
Magin,
68, Arizona, independent, Filipino American, self-employed
I know there would be some focus on him being Asian but no focus on what ails a lot of us in our society, mental illness, which affects all races.
Prima,
56, California, leans Republican, Filipino American, physical therapist
I think I just was more heartbroken about the situation rather than feeling targeted ethnically.
Gary,
67, California, Democrat, Japanese American, health care consultant
It’s just awful. Magin mentioned mental health problems. And I think all ethnic groups or all racial groups have those problems, no matter what. It’s a big issue.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Did the California shootings affect you differently, compared with past acts of violence, which were more clearly hate crimes, like the 2021 Atlanta spa shootings?
Vince,
29, Illinois, independent, Vietnamese American, tech
When I heard about what happened in California, I just assumed it was a white person. And it wasn’t right of me to do. But I didn’t really think too much about it. And I was pretty shocked to find out that it was an older Asian man. So I think I had a moment of clarity there. I had to check myself and realize that this kind of violence can come from a member of the community, too, self-inflicted incidents.
Jennifer,
45, New York, Democrat, Korean American, fashion stylist
After the Atlanta shootings, I read all these articles analyzing how Asian women are viewed in American society. There were just so many. For me, as a woman, it was kind of like, “Wow, in the media and in certain other spaces, Asian women are hypersexualized. And that’s a whole other conversation in and of itself. That one horrific incident just started a snowball effect into a myriad of other topics.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
People have talked about how the shootings highlight mental health issues among Asian American communities. What’s been your personal experience, Gary, with how Asians address mental health issues?
Gary,
67, California, Democrat, Japanese American, health care consultant
They don’t. If there’s someone who has a mental health problem in your family, you probably don’t really want to mention it to anybody because of shame. But mental illness, to me, is just like any other disease. And you need to go and get treated for it. And it just so happens that you go to a psychiatrist or psychologist instead of a cardiovascular surgeon or someone like that. And the other thing I would tell you is that many kids are under a lot of pressure to perform well in school. All the families want their kid to be a doctor or a lawyer.
Jennifer,
45, New York, Democrat, Korean American, fashion stylist
Well, I think among the older generation, my grandparents, everything is swept under the rug. But I actually have two psychologists in my family, my aunt and my uncle. So mental health, it’s routine. We check up on each other. The next generation, after my grandparents, they’re much more open about it.
Jeannie,
44, Texas, independent, Korean American, real estate agent
I have to agree with Gary. With my family, if I had something going on mentally, I probably wouldn’t go to them. I would talk to a friend first before I would feel comfortable talking to my mom about it.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
I’m curious how each of you is feeling right now about violence aimed at Asian American communities. Do you feel like this is a problem that is getting worse? How much do you feel in any kind of personal danger or jeopardy?
Jess,
28, Wisconsin, leans Republican, Chinese American, architect
I live in Madison, Wis., a pretty liberal city, so I don’t feel any fear. It’s also pretty small. But I think if I lived in a bigger city — in New York, maybe, or in L.A., where these crimes have happened — I would feel differently.
Crystal,
30, Florida, leans Republican, Chinese American, interior designer
I do feel a little differently. With everything that’s happened, all the random attacks, it’s scary. Being in South Florida, everyone has a gun. There’s a lot of violence here. It’s crazy.
Moderator, Kai Chen Yeo
We’ve really touched on some concerns that I think a lot of different Asian Americans pay attention to. Relatedly, when you think about the country’s leaders in Washington, do you think that leaders in government currently represent the interests of Asian Americans well?
Jennifer,
45, New York, Democrat, Korean American, fashion stylist
Yeah, not so well.
Rich,
52, Massachusetts, leans Democratic, Chinese American, unemployed
I don’t hear any Asian Americans up in those political offices. So with all these non-Asians up there, do they care? Do they even think about us at all?
Gary,
67, California, Democrat, Japanese American, health care consultant
When they finally confirmed a Black woman to the Supreme Court, everyone was saying, “Oh, isn’t this great? We’re now really representing all of the United States.” And my first thought was, “Wait a second. There’s no Asian Supreme Court justice, so how can you say that? People don’t think much of the Asian population.
Moderator, Kai Chen Yeo
Robert, you didn’t put your hand up.
Robert,
42, Massachusetts, independent, Chinese American, music teacher
Well, you had someone in the highest political office calling the virus the China flu. That definitely doesn’t paint Asians in a positive light.
Moderator, Kai Chen Yeo
Here’s a list of Asian American political leaders: Vice President Kamala Harris, the former congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, Senator Tammy Duckworth, Andrew Yang, the former governor Nikki Haley, Representative Ted Lieu, Representative Grace Meng.
Among these names, who do you support the most?
Among these names, who do
you support the most?
Andrew Yang
Rich,
52, Mass., Chinese American
Robert,
42, Mass., Chinese American
Sethu,
63, Calif., Indian American
Kamala Harris
No one raised their hand.
Tulsi Gabbard
Bruce,
65, Ga., Chinese American
Magin,
68, Ariz., Filipino American
Tammy Duckworth
Gary,
67, Calif., Japanese American
Vince,
29, Ill., Vietnamese American
Ted Lieu
No one raised their hand.
Grace Meng
No one raised their hand.
Nikki Haley
No one raised their hand.
Moderator, Kai Chen Yeo
What’s the most important political issue to you right now?
Gary,
67, California, Democrat, Japanese American, health care consultant
Gun violence.
Bruce,
65, Georgia, leans Republican, Chinese American, retired
Controlling immigration.
Crystal,
30, Florida, leans Republican, Chinese American, interior designer
I would say immigration as well.
Robert,
42, Massachusetts, independent, Chinese American, music teacher
Mental health.
Prima,
56, California, leans Republican, Filipino American, physical therapist
Immigration and mental health.
Jennifer,
45, New York, Democrat, Korean American, fashion stylist
Taxes.
Jess,
28, Wisconsin, leans Republican, Chinese American, architect
Economic issues.
Sethu,
63, California, Democrat, Indian American, photographer
All of the above.
Magin,
68, Arizona, independent, Filipino American, self-employed
Dedollarization.
Jeannie,
44, Texas, independent, Korean American, real estate agent
Gun violence.
Vince,
29, Illinois, independent, Vietnamese American, tech
I just look at all domestic policies as a package.
Rich,
52, Massachusetts, leans Democratic, Chinese American, unemployed
Gun violence.
Moderator, Kai Chen Yeo
Do you think that the American dream is currently alive?
Jess,
28, Wisconsin, leans Republican, Chinese American, architect
I think the American dream is an outdated concept, honestly. I don’t think having two kids, a house, a white picket fence and a golden retriever is the ideal anymore. But in terms of being able to create anything and pulling yourself up by your bootstraps and the idea that through work hard, anything is possible — I think that it’s jilted now. And that was not always the case. Yes, you can work hard. But you need more than just working hard; you need to know the right people. It’s not alive in the same way it used to be.
Moderator, Kai Chen Yeo
Here’s our last question: What do you hope will be better for the next generation of Asian Americans compared with your generation?
Gary,
67, California, Democrat, Japanese American, health care consultant
I hope there’s less discrimination against Asian Americans and that everybody can get along.
Bruce,
65, Georgia, leans Republican, Chinese American, retired
I think that the way it’s going right now. I think it’s going to be better for everybody, especially Asian Americans.
Crystal,
30, Florida, leans Republican, Chinese American, interior designer
I hope that there’s going to be more acceptance and less pressure from our generation on where we want our children to be. If they want to be musicians, they should be musicians. If they want to be artists or if they — whatever their calling is — I feel like I wasted a lot of time on that med school path. And I don’t want that for my children.
Robert,
42, Massachusetts, independent, Chinese American, music teacher
I want the next generation to be more open-minded to different opportunities, to branch out and take risks for yourself.
Prima,
56, California, leans Republican, Filipino American, physical therapist
I hope the next generation has a better balance between feeling like we can do and achieve anything we want but also still feeling connected to our own roots and not losing those in the process.
Jennifer,
45, New York, Democrat, Korean American, fashion stylist
I look forward to the next generation working more in a community-driven, collaborative culture. And it’s already headed in that direction. Yeah, I have high hopes.
Jess,
28, Wisconsin, leans Republican, Chinese American, architect
I hope that they’re not treated differently just because of the way they look.
Magin,
68, Arizona, independent, Filipino American, self-employed
I hope the next generation has more individual freedom — less of Big Brother — and the ability to convert crises into opportunity.
Vince,
29, Illinois, independent, Vietnamese American, tech
I hope that the younger generation will feel more accepted for whoever they are and feel less held back.
Jeannie,
44, Texas, independent, Korean American, real estate agent
Less discrimination.
Rich,
52, Massachusetts, leans Democratic, Chinese American, unemployed
Yeah, I hope the next generation has more opportunity to be more than a doctor or an accountant or a computer programmer or other pigeonholed paths from your parents. I definitely see that happening, even with my own peers or with their kids. They’re teaching them everything and having them open their eyes to see a lot more.