The census is the largest publicly available dataset with SEAA data. It directly influences political representation and funding for our communities.
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Hmong Leaders Meet with Census Director on Hmong Misclassification
On Thursday, May 23, 16 Hmong and Asian American advocates met with Director Robert L. Santos of the US Census Bureau to discuss the need to reclassify the Hmong as Southeast Asian. The meeting comes as a result of a letter and petition with over 1,700 signatures to Director Santos asking the Bureau to address the issue and meet with community leaders.
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“We talk about how it is so important for us as a group of people to participate in the census, so we show up in the data. Once that data comes out, we will have information about ourselves. Right now, we don’t know how many of us live in the Bay Area, or even the city of Richmond.”
Director, Asian Senior/Adult Daycare Center
“I want to help Cambodians and other minorities be counted in the 2020 Census. We are a minority of a minority group. We are Asians, but we’re also Cambodians. There are only 260,000 of us in the United States according to the 2010 Census, so having everyone counted is important.”
Technical engineer
“It’s vital for us to know each other as a community, locally and nationally. Where are we, how many of us are there, and how can we use our collective numbers to be changemakers? These are questions I find myself asking when I’m planning my dance classes or looking out to a crowd during a performance.”
Director, Cambodian American Girls Empowering
“I’m the son, nephew, and grandson of Vietnamese refugees who benefited from ESL education and other social programs, and I feel like we’ve come full circle now that I’m a first-generation college graduate and ESL teacher. I know that the type of services my school district and I are able to provide relies on data from the Census, so it is so important that educators encourage their community members to complete it.”
ESL Teacher
“When individuals are invisible in data, they remain invisible in policy conversations. To understand how groups within the AAPI community fare in higher education and the specific challenges each face, we must disaggregate data along racial and ethnic lines. Doing so will reveal where inequities exist and, in turn, unlock the full power of postsecondary education to spur social mobility, economic health, and a stronger society.”
Institute for Higher Education Policy
“Without data disaggregation, this system makes students like me invisible, our needs are downplayed, and resources aren’t offered. Data disaggregation allows for students like me to be seen, to get the resources we need, and to reach our fullest potential.”
Minnesota student
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Latest related posts
SEARAC is proud to support @apaics_org at the Legislative Leadership Summit this week in Washington, DC. Our National Deputy Director Kham S. Moua will be part of an Immigration, Citizenship, & Civic Engagement panel, which will address the
impact of ICE enforcement on community trust and explore strategies to dismantle
barriers to strengthen civic participation. #APAICSLeads #AANHPIHM #LegislativeLeadership
May 11
Join SEARAC for the third installment of our Rising Up series on May 13, 2:30 pm-3 pm ET where we will focus on supporting Southeast Asian American men and boys in education. This webinar will review findings from SEARAC’s Rising Up report on gender disparities in Southeast Asian American students’ educational attainment and provide an overview of how race- and gender-based stereotypes have impacted Southeast Asian American boys’ and men’s educational access and success.
RSVP at bit.ly/RisingUpPt3!
May 11
Whether it’s housing, healthcare, or grocery costs, we know our communities cannot have their mental health supported until basic needs are met.
SEARAC is a proud community partner of @naapimha, raising awareness and celebrating the 6th Annual National AANHPI Mental Health Day this May 10th!
Learn more at naapimha.org/aanhpimhday
May 10
For the second webinar in SEARAC’s Rising Up series, we were joined by youth leaders at @arise__ri and @varoundtable. We know that across classrooms, colleges, and communities, SEAA students are demanding educational experiences that support them. We are inspired by the courage of Southeast Asian American youth who are fighting for learning environments that value their cultural identity. You can read SEARAC’s latest fact sheet on SEAA student experiences at the link in our bio. Thank you to our incredible youth advocates for joining last week’s conversation!
Join SEARAC for the third installment of our Rising Up series on May 13, 2:30 pm-3 pm ET where we will focus on supporting Southeast Asian American men and boys in education. RSVP at bit.ly/RisingUpPt3!
May 8
In April 1975, Saigon fell and the Khmer Rouge seized power, unleashing a brutal reign of terror. In the years that followed, Cambodian, Hmong, Iu Mien, Lao, Vietnamese, and other Southeast Asian communities resettled across the United States. They survived unimaginable loss. And they have spent over 50 years making this country richer—culturally, economically, and civically.
This anniversary deserves national recognition. Urge your Member of Congress to cosponsor the Southeast Asian American 50th Anniversary Resolution. @SEARAC
Take action: bit.ly/SEAA50to250
#SEAA50 #SEAAResolution
May 7
