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DALLAS (KDAF) — A new study by the Asian American Foundation called out America’s attitudes towards Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.
The study highlighted issues that are still being faced by people of color. Over 6,200 people over the age of 16 were surveyed in the United States about their attitudes towards the Asian American community and representation in media.
The survey found “more than half of all Americans still can’t name a famous Asian American. A majority of Americans are unable to name a single event or policy related to Asian Americans.”
Fifty-two percent of those surveyed couldn’t name a famous Asian American actress or political figure. Another 55% said nothing came to mind when it came to naming an event or policy related to the history or lives of Asian Americans.
Jackie Chan (9% — who is not American), Bruce Lee (5% — who died over 50 years ago), and Kamala Harris (2%) were the most common responses, according to the study.
When it came to naming famous events or policies that changed Asian American lives, 15% named World War II-era Japanese American incarceration, the Asian American community being blamed for COVID (3%), Pearl Harbor (3%), and WWI events (3%).
On Wednesday, the fourth annual STAATUS Index study also revealed that only 38% of Asian Americans completely agree they belong, and even fewer (18%) feel they are fully accepted in the U.S. for their racial identity, according to the data.
The study suggests one of the best ways to break the “STAATUS quo” is to advocate and celebrate AANHPI stories.
Americans polled in the survey believe that racism towards the community will decrease by improving education (41%), boosting visibility (41%) and increasing opportunities for people to interact with other cultures (39%).