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Illinois’ vibrant and diverse Asian American and Pacific Islander Community plays an essential role in the culture and economy of the state and the country, representing about 7% of the population. Asians are projected to become America’s largest immigrant group by 2055.

Despite the growth and success of the community, Asian Americans have suffered an increase in hateful attacks, including the 2021 Atlanta shootings and blame for the pandemic. On Oct. 20, Tomoko Kizawa, risk and financial advisory partner and Chicago inclusion leader at Deloitte, moderated a panel discussion about the AAPI community.

The group discussed the community’s progress and its need to be understood, to be fairly included and to feel safe and secure in their own country as Americans.

“I think that there has been this ‘model minority’ myth, this idea that we are more immune to racism because of economic success. …Also, there’s been this idea that anti-Asian racism has been less egregious, less violent, more acceptable than other forms of racism. I think that the Atlanta shootings and the rise in anti-Asian hate has really heightened people’s awareness of what anti-Asian racism can look like.”

    -Josina Morita, Commissioner, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) of Greater Chicago; Chair, Illinois Asian American Caucus

Panelists said support should come from all Americans, not just members of the AAPI community. There’s a need for awareness, education and action. Business can play a large role by making sure Asian Americans feel welcome in all workplaces and receive equal opportunities to advance to leadership roles.

“We’re most likely to be hired in corporations or in the workplace, but we’re least likely to be promoted. We’re most likely to be lauded for our work ethic, but we’re not given leadership positions. And then we’re known for our technical skills but not seen for creative skills.”

– Dr. Karen A. Eng, President and Chief Executive Officer, CSMI; Board Chair, National ACE

“We’ve made great strides in terms of representation in our government and in the private sector, and organized ourselves a lot in the nonprofit sector as well. At the same time, we’re dealing with this level of violence, this level of anti-Asian-American hate. ”

– Ram Villivalam, Illinois State Senator, District 8

Villivalam co-sponsored legislation, signed by Gov. JB Pritzker and known as the TEAACH Act, that requires a unit of Asian American history be taught in public schools. Illinois was the first state to enact such a law. The curriculum will include the history of discrimination, including the wrongful incarceration of Japanese-Americans during World War II and the Chinese Exclusion Act.

“No one is born with hate in their heart. If our youth is brought up with the education and awareness of what a community is and who is in the community, how they’ve come here … I do think that will better foster an understanding.”

– Ram Villivalam, Illinois State Senator, District 8

Asian Americans are statistically underrepresented in the corporate world. About 2% of C-suite roles are held by AAPIs, while 4.6% of executive roles and 5.9% of managerial roles are held by members of the community.

“Make sure AAPIs have a seat at the table. There’s a lot of discussion recently over the promotion and empowering of Black- and Brown-owned companies and corporate leaders. We’ve had to gently remind the corporations as they talk about this that AAPIs are also considered part of the minority community. And we’re socially disadvantaged as well.”

– Dr. Karen A. Eng, President and Chief Executive Officer, CSMI; Board Chair, National ACE

“I think the parting ask is to see us. There is an invisibility of Asian Americans and Asian American issues. While we appreciate this kind of heightened visibility over the last few years, we want to see it continue to create progress.”

– Josina Morita, Commissioner, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) of Greater Chicago; Chair, Illinois Asian American Caucus

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