Asians are now the fastest growing ethnic group in California. They're also under attack.
Asians are now the fastest-growing ethnic group in California, according to new U.S. Census data.
"We are a community of immigrants and we are growing," said Mai Vang, Sacramento city's first Asian councilwoman. "When we look at our city services, are we truly meeting the needs of our community? Not just our Asian community, but our Black, our Latino; Indigenous. That's going to be really important."
California's Asian population surged 25% over the last ten years. Nationwide, the community saw 35% growth.
In Sacramento, Asians saw the biggest surge of all ethnic groups, growing nearly 40%.
The Hispanic community saw a 23% increase, and the Black population went up 6%.
The white population fell by roughly 3%.
"I'm just so excited that the AAPI community is being recognized," remarked Pat Fong Kushida, president of the California Asian Chamber of Commerce.
The commerce represents more than 600,000 Asian-owned businesses in the state. In Sacramento, 15% of businesses in the city are Asian-owned.
"There's a direct correlation between population growth and small business growth," said Kushida.
She hopes the new data will create more inclusive local economies that reflect the needs of the state's diverse population.
"Different strategies around policy absolutely need to occur. There's language barriers, cultural barriers, access barriers; affordability questions," she said.
Councilwoman Vang said the city of Sacramento is taking steps to develop a racial equity resolution. Starting next month, she is also launching a language equity task force.
"Within the next couple of months, there will be a lot of work within the community to help inform our racial equity resolution," Vang said. "In all the decisions we make, how are we taking a racial equity lens to it? When an item comes to council, how is this item, policy, going to impact the Black, Asian American communities? What are the barriers; unintended consequences?"
The rise in Asian population growth coincided with a rise in hate crimes against Asian people. In July, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed off on a historic $156 million dollar measure in response to the attacks on the Asian community.
"The surge of racism against Asians continues," said Dr. Russell Jeung, professor of Asian American Studies and co-founder of Stop AAPI Hate. "We've reached over 9,000 incidents of racism nationwide."
Jeung added that white nationalist sentiments are driving the attacks.
"The increasing presence of Asian Americans challenges their perception of what America should be about, and so they get triggered, they feel threatened," he said.
In June, a report by California Attorney General Rob Bonta's Office recorded 89 Asian hate crimes in 2020. That's more than double the amount in 2019.
Jeung pointed to federal immigration policy as perpetuating negative stereotypes about Asian Americans.
"There is selective immigration," he said. "Our immigration laws seek more educated and professional immigrants ... we are not allowing as many service sector or working class immigrants ... it does lead to the stereotyping of Asian Americans, where we are seen as the Model Minority and masks those of us who don't have high education, who don't have professional qualifications."
Vang said, she hopes more lawmakers will recognize the unique challenges facing Asian communities, and develop thoughtful policy to address the needs of a population that is diverse within itself.
"We are a growing community with many challenges, and we absolutely deserve a voice at the table," she said.
California now has more than 6 million people of Asian descent, which is more than the total population of many other states.