AB 1726, the Accounting for Health and Education in API Demographics (AHEAD) Act that would require California agencies to collect more data on groups under the label “Asian American,” has become a divisive bill among Asian American Pacific Islander groups.
There are currently two categories used to identify Asian Americans: “Asian American” and “Pacific Islander.” The bill would expand on these terms, adding Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Malaysian, Taiwanese, Thai, Tongan, and others, to reveal and target problems within specific communities under the “AAPI” umbrella.
The bill, which was authored and introduced by California Assemblyman Rob Bonta in the beginning of the year, is supported by dozens of Asian American advocacy groups, including the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF), Empowering Pacific Islander Communities (EPIC), and Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC), which are co-sponsoring the bill.
“Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders would clearly benefit from the AHEAD Act,” said NCAPA National Director Christopher Kang in a statement. “Stereotypes that we are a ‘model minority’ stem from a lack of disaggregated data, which masks the disparities in our communities.”
“AB 1726 is so important because if passed, we would have a clearer picture of who in our AAPI community needs more resources,” said NCAPA Communications Associate Mary Tablante. “It would address disparities in health and education.”
Rallying under #AllCACounts, Asian American groups took to social media to show their support.
AB1726 Will Expand the Definition of ‘Asian Americans’ in CA & That’s Good: https://t.co/gQtSpDOz3E #AllCACounts pic.twitter.com/fFyoRhBO2D
— YOMYOMF (@yomyomf) August 21, 2016
Still, a portion of the Asian American community – many of them those who oppose affirmative action – say that the data can be used for multiple purposes, and thus misused.
“Simply, this bill will do more harm than good,” said Assemblywoman Kristin Olsen, who spoke at a rally protesting the bill. “It divides people, it pits students and potential students against one another, and disintegrates unity.”
“AB 1726 is clearly divisive and unfair,” the Silicon Valley Chinese Association said in a letter to Gov. Jerry Brown. “It does not stipulate the collection of similar racial data from any group other than the Asian American Pacific Islanders.” They use “Hispanic” as an example. “Hispanic” encompasses a majority of Latin America. Yet, under AB 1726, the term won’t be broken down to specify groups like Cubans or Mexicans.
“California does not need a bill that could only divide our communities,” the letter concluded.
The bill was amended last week, and now moves to the State Senate.
