Remarks
Stop Viewing Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders as a Monolith
Better data can spotlight social problems and identify those in need.
Members and supporters of the Asian American community attend a “rally against hate” at Columbus Park in New York on March 21.
Photographer: Ed Jones/AFP/Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
The popular perception of Asian Americans is that they are “doing well” in terms of income, education, and health.
In fact, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) are a highly diverse group representing more than 30 countries of origin and many ethnicities, who certainly do experience social problems, especially at the bottom of the economic pyramid. Yet those inequities often get lost in the data, creating a harmful misperception that AAPIs don’t need help.