Voices of LA AAPI Survey
Survey results credit to Nathan Chan, PBI Research Associate
As LA County continue to undergo profound demographic, social, and generational changes, to help provide a sense of clarity and guide these discussions, Cal State LA and the Pat Brown Institute have undertaken a pathbreaking survey project that explores the social and political orientation of four major racial and ethnic groups in LA County (Asian American, Latino, African American, and Jewish community). In this article, we will focus on their findings from interviewing 1,500 AAPI respondents living in LA County as it exists today. The knowledge that the results bring will hopefully guide the county as we head in the future.
“The AAPI community has not been silent,” said Nathan Chan, who led this charge as an expert in AAPI public opinion and voting behavior. “The AAPI community has responded to racial discrimination with even more involvement in politics, making their voices heard. The era of COVID-19 and anti-Asian hate has the potential to usher in a contemporary wave of AAPI political activism…. For a community that often feels invisible in the political landscape, the data that we are seeing today really show a community worth of engagement… the problem here is that there is simply not enough investment put into talking and outreaching to our communities.”
Here are the key findings from the survey:
Anti-Asian Hate & Discrimination During COVID-19
Pandemic hit AAPI community hard, especially among the 18-34-year-olds. 36% of all respondents had either lost their jobs or had their hours cut.
80% of AAPIs say that anti-Asian racism has been serious during the pandemic. Filipino, Vietnamese, and Japanese Americans most say anti-Asian racism has been serious.
Two-thirds of AAPIs worry about hate crimes. Nearly a quarter of AAPIs reported being a victim of a hate crime during the pandemic. Native-born and younger AAPIs more likely to report being victim of hate crimes. Many AAPIs across national origin have been victims due to their race and gender.
Half of the AAPIs experienced racial discrimination. APIs most likely to face discrimination in the workplace, school, and grocery stores. AAPIs believe that Blacks and immigrants face the most discrimination.
AAPIs have a strong sense of community and cohesiveness.
AAPI Politics and Policy Preferences
Homelessness and coronavirus are most important AAPI issues. AAPIs support a ballot measure to aid the unhoused.
42% of respondents believe police funding should remain the same or increase. There are differences in views on police funding across national origin. 48% of Indian Americans and 50% of Chinese Americans most likely to favor status quo. Support for some increase in funding is among 37% of Korean Americans and 39% of Vietnamese Americans. A much smaller proportion support decrease in funding.
AAPIs lean towards the Democratic Party. 50% of AAPIs lean Democratic, especially Indian, Japanese, Filipino, and Korean Americans. 35% of respondents identified as Independent or with neither party, with higher rates of Chinese and Vietnamese Americans.
3. Voting and Civic Engagement
Many AAPIs voted for the first time in gubernatorial recall election.
92% of respondents reported being enthusiastic about voting in the 2022 midterms. However, a few AAPI voters were reached out to with 58% of respondents saying they have not been contacted about registering to vote or voting in the last two years. 65% of respondents who are foreign born reported not being contacted.
Nearly 85% of AAPIs believe representation matters to them.
AAPIs are actively engaged in politics in midst of hate and discrimination. They are more unified as a group, making their voice heard in many ways: discussing politics, petitioning, and posting on social media. AAPIs are mobilized to take political action due to their experiences with racial discrimination.
To view the entire survey results, go HERE.
