Asian American Community And Asian Americans

1891 Words4 Pages

The population of the United Sates of America is about 310 million people and Asian Americans make up about 14 million people, or 4.8% of the total population. Like any group of immigrants or minorities they have felt the effects of prejudice and discrimination. Over the years several groups have developed to try and stop the prejudice and injustice displayed towards Asian Americans. Two groups that will be looked at are the Asian American Justice Center (AAJC) and the Committee of 100, from the early 1990’s to the present. The AAJC is a non-profit organization that provides legal aid, advocates for civil rights, provides legal services and education on behalf of Asian Americans. AAJC was founded in 1983 under the leadership of Karen Narasaki and is headquartered in Washington D.C. for strategic reason because they are so involved in pushing legislation. I.M. Pei founded the Committee of 100 in 1990. It was founded in order to provide a collective voice for Chinese American leaders to speak on U.S. and international issues that effect Asian and Asian Americans. Both organizations have fought many injustices and help further Asian American advancement and quality of life in America. Their approaches and methods often differ from each other but typically have a relationship to their current leaders identities and beliefs. The concept of the Committee of 100 resulted from I.M. Pei, who was an influential Chinese American at the time and was getting calls from reporters seeking his reaction to the Tiananmen Square events in June of 1989. At the time there was a kind of backlash against the Chines, resulting in the American media questioning what the Chines community thought on the issue was. Pei felt no single Chinese American could ... ... middle of paper ... ...the same in many aspects (committee100). They do this primarily through their surveys and diverse committee staff meetings. Members are added when needed and constantly change over time. Wile the AAJC spends more time fighting for justice and equal opportunities for Asian Americans through legislative practices and ground level outreaches (What We Do). Prejudice and discrimination has been greatly reduced by these two groups along with increasing justice. Both groups have leaders that are able to use their own strengths to help and mold the groups in a proactive form. Dominic Ng status and influential position gives him authority wile Moua’s divers background and public service background gives her incite on how to fight for justice through legislative practices. Both groups show no sign of slowing down and will continue to fight for their causes in the future.

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