You Can’t Shortcut Your Way to the Asian American Vote

“We’re not a monolith.” It’s a simple phrase that minority communities in this country seem to have to repeat over and over again. Especially with small but diverse subgroups of voters, like Asian Americans, it can be tempting to paint with a broad brush. So as an Asian American who cares deeply about the direction this country is heading, here’s what I think needs to be better understood about Asian American voters.

Asian Americans are diverse, not just in terms of where we’ve come from ancestrally but in our experiences both in coming to America and living here. These differences create nuanced distinctions and needs within our communities. Japanese Americans, like myself, typically have been in the country longer and have had more time to find opportunity, integrate into broader communities, and build wealth. We’ve certainly had our struggles, especially during and after the Second World War, but time has been an ally for us. But the diversity of Asian American communities is often paved over by stereotypes and assumptions. Here are some misconceptions candidates need to get past if they truly want to understand and appeal to Asian American voters.

Not all Asian Americans are highly educated.

The issue people from outside these communities think we singularly care about is education. National data shows that roughly 33% of Americans have a college degree, yet Asian Americans as a collective outpace that proportion, with 54% of adults age 25 and older holding a bachelor’s degree. But some communities that began immigrating more recently are still fighting to make progress. Only 16% of Cambodian Americans have a college degree, as do 18% of Hmong and Laotian Americans and 29% of Vietnamese Americans. If the broad narrative is that Asian Americans all have high college attainment, more recent arrivals are getting lost in the generalization. And contrary to popular wisdom, 70% of Asian Americans support affirmative action in college admissions.

Asian Americans face similar economic dynamics as others.

There’s also a view that Asian American are vastly more economically successful than the rest of the country, often stemming from stereotypes about “work ethic” or education. The reality, however, is nuanced. Non-college Asian Americans generally out-earn other groups in the middle class. 34% of Asian Americans without a college degree earn $50,000 to $120,000 per year, compared to 33% for White Americans, 25% for Hispanic Americans and 22% for Black Americans. Much of this can be attributed to small business ownership among Asian Americans, especially among first generation immigrants. But looking at that same income bracket for college educated debunks the idea that we’re unique. 42% of college Asian Americans earn $50,000 to $120,000. Squarely in line with 44% of White Americans, 44% of Black Americans, and 43% of Hispanic Americans. The takeaway is that while we fair better in the non-college economy, the college economy debunks simplistic views of our community’s “model minority” stereotype.

Asian Americans want Major Reform in Policing.

Common political narratives often pit Asian Americans against other communities of color in the United States. We’re seeing this play out now in the debate around policing reform, with some positing that proposals to reform policing are scaring Asian American voters in the wake of the horrific slew of hate crimes we faced during the pandemic. Yet when asked in 2020—during the height of racist attacks that were occurring—if major changes were needed in policing, a staggering 82% of Asian Americans understood the need for reform, queuing up behind only Black Americans who clocked in at 88%. When asked the same question 63% of Hispanic Americans and 51% of White Americans said we need major reforms.

There’s no key platform or policy to unlocking the Asian American vote. We’re a diverse coalition with wide ranging experiences in this country. Some of us have been here over one hundred years. Others are newer to the American family. What I’d suggest to any candidate is to get to know us. Ask questions. Do the work that will earn our votes.