OCA Condemns Anti-Asian Rhetoric in Election Campaigns

OCA joins APIAVote and NCAPA in calling for political candidates to immediately stop using anti-Asian messaging and tactics that perpetuate harmful stereotypes.

For Immediate Release 

October 30, 2022

Media Contact:

Thu Nguyen, Executive Director

tnguyen@ocanational.org

Washington, D.C. — OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates joins other non-partisan advocacy organizations in calling for political candidates across the country to end any usage of anti-Asian rhetoric or stereotyping in their campaigns. The surge in these kinds of messages from candidates have been particularly alarming for the Asian American community as they continue to experience anti-Asian hate incidents. 

“For three, going on four, years now, the Asian American community has experienced over 11,500 hate incidents due to the scapegoating of Asian Americans for the COVID-19 pandemic. Campaigns utilizing this kind of rhetoric will only serve to perpetuate anti-Asian hate incidents,” said OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates National President Linda Ng. “Candidates should be focusing on how they will serve all people in their community, including their Asian American constituents.” 

“Xenophobic language, including red baiting or stereotyping, has no place in our society,” said OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates National Executive Director Thu Nguyen. “Leaders of our country should bring their communities together, rather than divide them in fear and hatred. We urge political candidates and elected officials to end the use of anti-Asian rhetoric.”

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About OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates

Founded in 1973, OCA–Asian Pacific American Advocates is a national, member-driven social justice organization of community advocates dedicated to advancing the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs). Learn more about our work at ocanational.org/about.