One-Third of Asian Americans Victim of Hate Crime in 2023
NEW YORK, NY — A recent AAPI Data/AP-NORC poll highlights the significant concern about racism within the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities in the United States. The poll, conducted from October 10-20, 2023, found that 86% of AAPI individuals consider racism a serious problem in the country.
According to the survey, which involved 1,178 participants, around half of the AAPI respondents have encountered racial or ethnic discrimination. Shockingly, 16% reported being victims of a hate crime, including instances of physical assault, property damage, or threats, within the past year. Additionally, 34% experienced hate incidents, such as verbal harassment, racial slurs, or threats of physical assault.
These disturbing findings align with previous research that has shown increased attacks against AAPI communities since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although most AAPI adults express satisfaction with their mental health, the survey uncovered significant levels of stress. Seven out of ten AAPI adults revealed experiencing stressors like irritability, excessive worry, or difficulty relaxing in the past two weeks. Furthermore, the General Anxiety Disorder scale indicates that 12% of respondents are at higher risk of developing an anxiety disorder.
The politically diverse views within the AAPI community were also evident in the survey. Approximately half of the respondents identified as Democrats, with over a quarter aligning themselves with Republicans. Around 20% identified as independents or unaffiliated. When comparing favorability ratings, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris garnered more positive views among AAPI adults than former President Donald Trump and Governor Ron DeSantis. On the other hand, views on Nikki Haley and Vivek Ramaswamy were less favorable, with a significant number of respondents stating unfamiliarity with these candidates.
Representing the AAPI household population in the U.S., the study interviewed participants in English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, and Korean. With a margin of sampling error of +/- 4.2 percentage points, the survey provides a broad representation of perspectives within the AAPI community.
The AAPI community’s struggle with racism and discrimination is a pressing issue that demands attention and action. These findings shed light on the prevalence of hate crimes and incidents targeting Asian Americans. The survey serves as a call to address this grave problem and protect the lives and well-being of AAPI individuals across the United States.
The awareness and understanding of these concerning statistics are crucial in taking steps towards a safer and more inclusive society. By fostering empathy and promoting education, communities can work together to challenge and eliminate the systemic racism impacting AAPI individuals. It is imperative that law enforcement and policymakers respond with urgency to protect the rights and safety of all Americans, regardless of their race or ethnicity. Only through collective efforts can we hope to create a society where diversity is embraced, hatred is eradicated, and everyone can live without fear of discrimination or violence.
