As young multi-generational Asian Americans, we have shown a growing interest in American politics (believe it or not), unfortunately we ultimately still express a cynical outlook and opinion of our identification and our place within the American political spectrum.
This can be attributed to the lack of a strong sense of community and specifically a non-existent pan-ethnic movement within Asia America. This ultimately furthers, major party candidates’ unwillingness to tackle Asian American community issues. The cause of such strife stems from concerns that are socio- historic, geographic, and economic in nature. In areas concerning foreign policy matters involving China-Taiwan or India-Pakistan relations, Asian Americans of differing ethnicity have conflicting viewpoints. Much of which is rooted in the political and cultural history of past generations not easily forgotten. In domestic policy there is a large divide between professional Asian American and Asian Americans of the working class.
In essence, the reason why there is little candidate involvement with Asian community issues is not because they are necessarily indifferent to these concerns but rather Asia America does not have a strong community to which candidates can publicize their perspective without possibly alienating another part of the same so called community.
Regrettably there is no one particular issue or movements in which all Asian Americans can relate to and hence unify under. African American politics have historically been rooted in Civil Rights, Hispanic American have ownership of immigration. Asian Americans have nothing… It is important for Asian Americans to find a common voice with common goals in order to further an agenda beneficial to all its members.
The part is never as strong as the whole.