Political parties, activism and race relations in Asian-American politics were discussed by three panelists Friday.
Michael Chen, a graduate student in international studies and coordinator of the discussion, said he wanted to facilitate an educational discussion on how Asian-Americans fit into the traditional Republican and Democratic political parties.
There is a lot of rich ethnic politics in the United States, said Chikako Cox, a psychologist at Ohio State.
“My frustration and my passion is not just accepting a linear model of politics,” Cox said. “API (Asian-Pacific Islander) politics requires looking at a big picture and of the multiplicity of who we are.”
As a therapist, Cox is concerned with the individual ways Asian-Americans contribute to API politics, such as organizing Asian women against rape and other, more radical political activities, Cox said.
Yoshie Furuhashi, a graduate student in English, said she agrees more responsibility should be taken to organize events and promote activism.
“We need to emphasize activism across boundaries,” Furuhashi said. “To be effective, we need to build coalitions with other ethnic groups.”
One way for the Asian-American community to preserve its political voice is through activism, Cox said. Activism can be obvious, subtle, visible or invisible.
“There are different kinds of radicalism,” Cox said. “For instance, I am passionate about educating young people.”
Young people are leading an Asian-American activism movement in Central Ohio, said Roland Coloma, a graduate student in cultural studies.
“We need to act locally and think globally,” he said.
Issues of ethnicity, multi-identity and trans-nationality were also discussed by panel members.
A bias is created when the term ‘Asian-American’ is used, Coloma said.
“People think of Asian-Americans in a traditional way,” Coloma said. “What kind of politics are opened up when considering South Asians and Pacific Islanders?”
Asian-Americans struggle to be seen as Americans, Coloma said.
“We are seen as foreigners of this country,” he said. “It doesn’t matter how long we’ve been here or how well we speak English.”
It was only when he came to the United States that he was labeled “Asian-American,” Coloma said.
“The U.S. is so obsessed with issues of race,” Coloma said. “Outside of the U.S. it is so different.”
The question “Where are you from?” will always plague Asian-Americans, Furuhashi said. However, creating relationships with other ethnic Americans will help strengthen the state of Asian-American politics.
“You will be challenged in the United States even if you are successful here,” Furuhashi said. “You can use your identity as leverage and relate your experiences with those of African-Americans to build a coalition.”
Since the Sept. 11 attacks, there has been an increase in racial profiling, especially within the Asian-American community, Coloma said. Developing relationships with ethnic groups who have experienced the same racial profiling combat prejudices.
Cox said she is the only Asian-American psychologist at OSU.
“My survival comes from connecting with other ethnic psychologists,” she said.
