Table of Contents

Abstract 3

Executive Summary 4

Key Findings 6

Introduction 8

Methodology 10

Results and Analysis

Race Relations in America 12

Belonging and Acceptance 20

Perceptions and Stereotypes 26

Visibility and Awareness 34

Recommendations 40

Conclusion 47

Endnotes and Credits 49

Abstract
The STAATUS (Social Tracking of Asian Americans in This is especially relevant during times of crisis, such Professor Erika Lee, University of Minnesot
the U.S.) Index is a comprehensive, annual as the current COVID-19 pandemic. Professor Jennifer Lee, Columbia Universit
assessment of attitudes and stereotypes of Asian Professor Pei-Te Lien, University of California,
The three main goals of the study are to:
Americans by a representative sample of adults Santa Barbar
from across the country. The overall purpose of the Increase public awareness about Asian Professor Mike Hoa Nguyen, University of Denve
study is to help improve understanding, belonging American stereotypes and perceptions Professor Karthick Ramakrishnan, University of
and acceptance of Asian Americans in our country. Provide data that government and community California, Riversid
leaders can use to advocate for Asian American Professor Karen Umemoto, University of
This is the second consecutive year of the STAATUS equity and inclusion California, Los Angeles

Index; the inaugural study in 2021 was one of the Inform the development of impactful policies
first national analyses of American attitudes and programs that can improve the status of We are delighted to collaborate also with leading
towards Asian Americans in 20 years. Asian Americans in the U.S. AAPI research and data organizations, AAPI Data
and StopAAPIHate.
Given the urgency to understand the root causes of The survey was conducted in partnership with our
prejudice and racism against Asian Americans, the esteemed Academic Advisory Committee:
survey addresses long-standing stereotypes (e.g.,
Professor Paul Watanabe, University of
the “model minority” and “perpetual foreigner”) as
Massachusetts/Boston, Chai
well as current perceptions that lead to
Professor Russell Jeung, San Francisco State
scapegoating and violence against the Asian
University
American community.

3
Executive Summary
Asian Americans face a somber reality in 2022: with a representative sample of Americans across On one hand, Americans see the contributions
Despite a new administration, a relative decline in racial groups, demographics, and geographies. The of Asian Americans to the U.S. and view Asian
the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, and an data from 5,113 respondents provide multiple Americans in stereotypical “model minority”
improved economy, attacks against the Asian important issues and opportunities: terms as nice, smart, hard-working, and
American community continue to increase at The U.S. is in the midst of a racial crisis, and successful in business2.
alarming rates. there is broad agreement that people of color On the other, an increasing percentage of
are much more discriminated against and much Americans in 2022 question the loyalty of Asian
No longer can we blame the current wave of anti-
less advantaged than White Americans. Americans and blame Asian Americans for the
Asian American hate and violence on a single
Like Black and Latino Americans, Asian COVID-19 epidemic, fueling the “perpetual
politician or on a pandemic.
Americans face high levels of discrimination, yet foreigner” stereotype.
The root causes are deeper, systemic and tied to many Americans are unaware of the spike in
the xenophobia, fear, and “othering”1 of Asian anti-Asian American racism and hate over the
Americans, manifested in harmful stereotypes and past year.
misperceptions, that have persisted in our society Asian Americans are least likely among all racial
since Asians first arrived in the U.S. groups to feel we belong and are accepted in
the U.S., even if born in the U.S.
This year’s expanded STAATUS Index builds on the
work of the ground-breaking 2021 study to better
understand these stereotypes and misperceptions

4
In addition to providing an annual diagnosis of the Narrative change in news media, social media,
status of Asian Americans in U.S. society, the Index and entertainment is also necessary to foster
also provides potential solutions to address the belonging and acceptance for Asian
stereotypes and misperceptions that contribute to Americans; this will provide more accurate and
racism and violence against Asian Americans: multi-dimensional stories about Asian
Education is the most recommended solution Americans to overcome ignorance related to
overall to combat anti-Asian racism. We need the “model minority” and “perpetual foreigner”
to support organizations preserving, stereotypes.
commemorating, and teaching the long and
Further data and research about Asian
diverse histories of Asian Americans and Pacific
American stereotypes and misperceptions is
Islanders alongside the histories of African
critical as well to provide a deeper
Americans, Native Americans, Latinos, and
understanding of sentiment in the U.S. towards
other peoples of color and as part of the history
Asian Americans and track our progress in these
of systemic racism in the United States; invest in
areas.
teacher training and resources related to Asian
American and Pacific Islander history both At LAAUNCH and TAAF, we are committed to
inside and outside of the classroom. working with our partners, academic leaders,
Resources, support, and protection are needed community-based organizations, and multiracial
for victims of anti-Asian racism and the Asian allies in these areas to improve the status of Asian
American community more broadly. Americans and to promote prosperity and
belonging for all Americans.

5
Key Findings
Race Relations Black, Latino, and Asian Americans see Asian Compared to 2021, Americans in 2022 are more
The majority of Americans recognize that Asian Americans as people of color, whereas White likely to question the loyalty of Asian Americans
Americans, Black Americans, Latino Americans, Americans see Asian Americans as more similar and blame Asian Americans for COVID-19.
and Native Americans are being discriminated to themselves. Asian Americans overwhelmingly
Visibility and Awareness
against and that White Americans are most see themselves as people of color.
M ost Americans cannot name a prominent
advantaged by far. Perceptions and Stereotypes Asian American when asked, and top names
Nearly one-third of Americans overall are
The majority of Americans still see Asian cited again are martial artist actors from
unaware that attacks against Asian Americans
Americans in “model minority” terms — as smart, decades ago.
are increasing.
nice, and hard-working — and believe Americans still primarily see Asian American
Belonging and Acceptance (incorrectly) that Asian Americans are well actors in stereotypical and negative roles in TV
Across all racial groups, Asian Americans are represented in leadership positions in corporate and movies.
among the least likely to feel that they America.
completely belong and are accepted in the Over 70% of Americans believe Asian Americans
U.S.; this is especially true for younger Asian have benefited the U.S., especially in the areas
Americans and Asian American women. of positive economic impact, academic
Asian Americans born in the U.S. are less likely to excellence, and medical advancements.
feel they belong and are accepted than those
born in a foreign country.

6
Recommendations

Over 70% of Americans believe that anti-Asian

American racism should be addressed.
Education is the preferred solution overall to
fight anti-Asian racism, especially as a large
percentage of Americans cannot cite a
significant Asian American historical event or
policy.
Asian Americans also seek stronger laws and
greater protection for their community.
Over 70% of Americans across all racial groups
express interest in seeing more Asian American
actors in TV and movies.

7
Introduction
The STAATUS Index is based on multiple dimensions of competency and sociability. In a examples include the persecution and eventual
frameworks from social psychology, including the landmark study by Professors Katz and Braly4 that mass murder of the Armenians during the fall of the
Stereotype Content Model developed by Professor launched stereotype research in 1933, Japanese Ottoman Empire, the Jews before and during World
Susan Fiske3 in 2002 to analyze how dominant people were seen as intelligent, industrious, War II, and the Tutsis during the Rwandan Civil War
groups use two primary dimensions — competency progressive, and shrewd (competent), but shy and from 1990–1994. Professor Peter Glick, who
and sociability — to assess the relative threat of quiet (unsociable). Similarly, Chinese people were specializes in bias, stereotypes, and discrimination
“other” groups. In multiple studies, Asian Americans, seen as sly (implying competence), but research said in 2002, “when a history of envious
Jews, and female professionals are found to be conservative, tradition-loving, superstitious, and prejudice collides with a precipitous decline in a
clustered into an outgroup that is generally loyal to family (implying a lack of mainstream society’s life conditions, successful minorities are at
respected but disliked. These groups are sociability). A replication of this study in 2001 grave risk.”5 His prediction speaks directly to the
stereotyped as high in competence, resulting in confirmed these stereotypes: both Chinese and racism and violence Asian Americans are facing
respect, but viewed as having low sociability, Japanese people were seen as especially today during the dual crises of the COVID-19
resulting in dislike. This combination of perceptions intelligent, industrious, and scientifically-minded pandemic and increasing geopolitical and
engenders a mix of admiration, resentment, and (highly competent), but also loyal to family and economic competition between the U.S. and China.
envy. reserved (not sociable with dominant group).
While stereotyping can lead to extreme outcomes
Stereotyping of Asian Americans has been tracked History has shown repeatedly that “envious such as violence, this harmful behavior also has
for decades, and a review of these studies stereotyping” during times of crisis can lead to serious mental health implications, specifically on
illustrates that the dominant group often scapegoating, violence, and even genocide. Tragic Asian Americans’ sense of belonging. In a 1992
characterizes Asian Americans along the

8
study, Professor Hagerty et al.6 posited that a sense 1 https://www.theguardian.com/inequality/2017/nov/08/us-vs-them-the-
of belonging is a vital mental health concept that sinister-techniques-of-othering-and-how-to-avoid-them
2 https://www.npr.org/2021/05/25/999874296/6-charts-that-dismantle-the-
has two defining attributes: “(a) valued involvement trope-of-asian-americans-as-a-model-minority
or the experience of feeling valued, needed, or 3 Lin MH, Kwan VS, Cheung A, Fiske ST. Stereotype content model explains
prejudice for an envied outgroup: Scale of anti-Asian American Stereotypes.
accepted; and (b) fit, the perception that the Pers Soc Psychol Bull. 2005 Jan;31(1):34-47. doi: 10.1177/0146167204271320.
PMID: 15574660.
individual’s characteristics articulate with the
4 Katz, D., & Braly, K. (1933). Racial stereotypes of one hundred college
system or environment.” students. The Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 28(3), 280–290.
https://doi.org/10.1037/h0074049
5 Glick, Peter. (2002). Sacrificial Lambs Dressed in Wolves’ Clothing: Envious
Belonging, as articulated by John A Powell of the Prejudice, Ideology, and the Scapegoating of Jews. Understanding
Haas Institute for a Fair and Inclusive Society at UC Genocide: The Social Psychology of the Holocaust. 10.1093/
acprof:oso/9780195133622.003.0006.
Berkeley, is the opposite of “othering,” when 6 HAGERTY, BONNIE M. K.; PATUSKY, KATHLEEN Developing a Measure Of
Sense of Belonging, Nursing Research: January 1995 - Volume 44 - Issue 1 -
societies undergoing major change experience
p 9-13
anxiety and exclude specific groups viewed as 7 https://www.theguardian.com/inequality/2017/nov/08/us-vs-them-the-
sinister-techniques-of-othering-and-how-to-avoid-them
potential threats to the “favored” group.7
Politicians and other leaders promote Asian
American stereotypes and misperceptions to
achieve their own agendas. Quantifying and
addressing this “culture of fear” are major
outcomes of the STAATUS Index.

9
Methodology
The results in this report are based on a national Given the unique identities and perceptions of the
survey of 5,113 U.S. residents, age 18 and over, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI)
including 2,840 Whites or Caucasians, 888 Blacks or population, the focus of the STAATUS Index is on
African Americans, 1,023 Latinos or Hispanic the Asian American population. Further research is
Americans, and 1,074 Asians or Asian Americans. needed to analyze the perceptions and attitudes
The survey was conducted online in English towards the NHPI community.
between February 10 to February 28, 2022 by
Savanta Research.

Results are valid within +/-1.4% at the 95%

confidence level. This margin of error increases with
subgroup analyses.

The sample was weighted using population

parameters (race, age, gender, education, and
region) from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American
Community Survey for adults 18 years of age or
older. This weighting reflects the national
population.

10
Results and Analysis
We structure our analysis into five sections covering

distinct themes.

In Race Relations, we provide an update on In Visibility and Awareness, we study how Asian

Americans’ perceptions of racial issues in the U.S. Americans are seen and recognized in the U.S.

with a focus on anti-Asian American discrimination public consciousness and in TV and movies.

and racism.
Finally, in Recommendations, we suggest guidelines

In Belonging and Acceptance, we delve into the and actions based on the findings of the STAATUS

question of whether Asian Americans and other Index for community leaders and policymakers to

racial groups of color feel like they belong and are combat anti-Asian American discrimination and

accepted in the U.S. racism.

In Perceptions and Stereotypes, we analyze long-

standing stereotypes of the Asian American

community, both positive and negative, and

compare data from the 2021 and 2022 STAATUS

Index surveys to document changes in American

attitudes towards Asian Americans.

11
Section ONE

Race Relations in

America
 Getting worse
50%
26%
% of Americans who think the
relationships are… Staying the same

Improving
20%
Race relations in America
are getting worse
The majority of Americans believe race relations in
Not Sure
4%
the U.S. have declined in the last five years. By
contrast, only 20% of Americans believe race
relations have improved.

13
Race rel ations in america

In the last 5 years, do you think the relationships between and

among racial groups in the U.S. are…
Getting Worse Staying the Same Improving Not Sure/Don’t Know

By Political Affiliation
The pessimism concerning race relations is shared Democrat 48% 27% 22% 3%
by respondents across the political spectrum;
about half of all Democrats, Republicans, and
Republican 51% 25% 20% 3%

Independents believe race relations have gotten Independent 51% 26% 19% 4%
worse.

By Race
We also see broad consensus on the crisis of
America’s race relations across race and gender.
Black Americans 46% 28% 21% 5%

Asian Americans 50% 26% 20% 4%

Latino Americans 41% 32% 23% 5%

White Americans 53% 24% 19% 4%

By Gender
Men 49% 25% 22% 4%

Women 49% 27% 18% 5%

14 *Percentages may not add to 100% due to rounding

Race rel ations in america

The majority of
Americans recognize
that Asian Americans are
being discriminated
56%
of Americans say Asian Americans
are being discriminated against
against
When asked how different racial groups are being
treated, 56% of respondents say Asian Americans
are being discriminated against, while only 6% say
Asian Americans are more advantaged compared
to other groups.

6%
say Asian Americans
are more advantaged
15
Race relations in america

Latino

White Americans Black Americans Americans Asian Americans

The majority of Americans also believe Black and
Latino Americans are discriminated against.

All Respondents 21% 62% 53% 56%

White Americans, by contrast, are seen as least
discriminated against in American society by a
wide margin. White American
28% 55% 48% 53%
Respondents

Black American
8% 81% 63% 59%
Respondents

Latino American 9% 71% 63% 59%

Respondents

Asian American
8% 69% 54% 71%
Respondents

16
Race rel ations in america

% of Americans who say the following racial groups in the

U.S. are discriminated against by political leaning
Conservative

Liberals are more likely Liberal

to see people of color as

40% 43%
being discriminated 38% 35%
against, and are more
likely to say that White
Americans have an 6%
advantage White Americans

Across other demographic characteristics such as

race, gender, and income, we see widespread
agreement that Asian Americans are facing strong
discrimination. 68% 68%
80% Latino Americans Asian Americans

Black Americans

17
Race relations in america

29%
Extremely Increased
Nearly one-third of
Americans are unaware
that attacks against
Asian Americans are
increasing 38%
The Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at Somewhat Increased In the past 12 months, assaults, hate
California State University, San Bernardino, reports crimes or any other form of racism
that anti-Asian hate crimes increased 339% in 2021 against Asian Americans have...
compared to 2020. AAPI Data reports that one in six
Asian American adults experienced a hate crime or
hate incident in 2021, up from one in eight in 2020.
StopAAPIHate reports that assaults increased from 26%
Stayed the Same
10.8% of the total hate incidents reported to their
platform in 2020 to 16.6% in 2021.
5%
Somewhat Decreased
Yet despite these statistics, over 30% of Americans are
unaware of the increased attacks on Asian Americans 2%
or believe they have actually decreased. Extremely Decreased
18
Race relations in america

% of Americans who say assaults, hate crimes, or any other

form of racism against Asian Americans have stayed the
same or decreased
Decreased Stayed the Same
Education and political
leaning affect awareness By Education Level
14% 6%
of attacks against Asian Graduate degree

21% 5%
Americans College degree

Associate degree 26% 6%

Americans who are more politically conservative
and those with less education are more likely to say
Some college or trade school 28% 6%
that attacks against Asian Americans have stayed High school degree or less 31% 11%
the same or decreased.

By Political Leaning
The lack of awareness about anti-Asian American Very conservative 34% 8%
hate attacks points to an opportunity and need for
the news media to better report and inform the Somewhat conservative 30% 5%
public about these acts of violence and hate Moderate 28% 8%
incidents.
Somewhat liberal 16% 8%
Very liberal 15% 7%
19
Section TWO

Belonging and
Acceptance
Asian Americans are among the
least likely racial groups in the U.S.
to feel that they completely belong

ck A m e r i c a n s
n d 33 % of B l a
A m e r i c a n s a th ey b e l o n g
of Asi a n t th ey fe e l l i ke Compared to
t e l y a g re e th a of Latino Am 42%
com p l e th e U .S. e r i
and 61% of W cans
e a c ce p te d i n hite
and ar Americans
Belonging and Acceptance

% of Asian Americans who completely agree

that they feel they belong and are accepted

By Age
Younger Asian 18–24 19%
Americans and Asian
27%
American women are 25–34

less likely to feel that 35–44 31%

they belong and are 45–54 31%
accepted in U.S. society
55–64 38%
Only 19% of Asian Americans between the ages of
18–24, our youngest survey group, compared to 51% 65+ 51%
of those over 65 years of age, completely agree
that they feel they belong and are accepted. A
lower percentage of Asian American women (27%) By Gender
than men (33%) feel that they fully belong in this
Women 27%
country.

Men 33%
22
Belonging and Acceptance

% of Asian Americans who

completely agree/
somewhat agree that they
belong and are accepted
in the U.S.
Asian Americans born in
the U.S. are less likely to
feel that they belong 72%
and are accepted in Asian Americans born overseas

America than Asian

Americans born overseas
67%
72% of Asian Americans born overseas feel that Asian Americans born in the U.S.
they belong and are accepted in the U.S.,
compared to 67% of Asian Americans born in the
U.S.

23
Belonging and Acceptance

% of Americans who say the status of Asian Americans in the

U.S. is more similar to people of color or to White Americans
More similar to people of color

More similar to White Americans 76%

Black, Latino, and Asian 63%
Americans see Asian 56%

Americans as people of 43%

color, whereas White 31%
Americans see Asian
Americans as more
similar to themselves
By more than a 3:1 ratio, Asian Americans 24%
overwhelmingly see themselves as people of color.
Asian Americans
37%
44% Black Americans

Latino Americans
57%
All Americans 69%
24
White Americans
B e lo n g i n g a n d Acce pta n ce

% of Americans who say the status of Asian Americans in the U.S. is

more similar to people of color, by age group

By Age

18–24 63%
Younger Americans see
25–34 51%
Asian Americans very
differently from older 35–44 46%

Americans 45–54 39%

Older respondents see Asian Americans as more
55–64 35%
similar to White Americans, while younger
respondents see Asian Americans as more similar to
65+ 28%
people of color.

25
Section Three

Perceptions and
Stereotypes
Perceptions and Stereotypes

What adjectives, or words, would you use to describe people

in the U.S. who are ...?
Asian Americans
Kind/Nice/Thoughtful/Friendly/Amicable 39%
Respondents still see Intelligent/Smart 36%
Asian Americans in Hard-working 23%
“model minority” terms — White Americans
as smart, nice, and hard- Entitled/Privileged 36%
working Kind/Nice/Thoughtful/Friendly/Amicable 24%
Pale/White 16%
When asked what adjectives, or words,
respondents would use to describe Asian Black Americans
Americans, the most common answers are Oppressed/Bullied/Marginalized 28%
“Intelligent/Smart,” “Kind/Nice/Thoughtful/ Kind/Nice/Thoughtful/Friendly/Amicable 22%
Friendly/Amicable,” and “Hard-working.” These Intelligent/Smart 11%
responses are consistent with the top answers from
the 2021 survey, and continue to reflect damaging Latino Americans
stereotypes from the “model minority” myth, which Hard-working 38%
has harmed Asian Americans for decades. Kind/Nice/Thoughtful/Friendly/Amicable 36%
Mexican 16%
27
Perceptions and Stereotypes

How well represented do you think

Asian Americans are in senior (high-
level) positions in the U.S. within
companies and larger corporations?

A majority of Americans
believe Asian Americans 50%
are well represented in of Americans said somewhat or
extremely well represented
companies and large
corporations
According to research from Ascend, however, Asian
Americans are the most likely to be hired as
professionals but are the least likely among all
racial groups to become executives.

6%
of executive, senior officer, and manager roles
are actually filled by Asian Americans
28 *Andy Kiersz, “Asian Americans Still Aren't Reaching the C-Suite - and It All Comes down to Promotions.
These 4 Charts Put the Problem in Perspective.,” Business Insider (Business Insider, May 26, 2021).
Perceptions and Stereotypes

% of Americans who said they were “extremely comfortable” or

“somewhat comfortable” to have an Asian American...

Americans are least As a friend 90%

comfortable with Asian
As a doctor or nurse 88%
Americans in leadership
positions As a neighbor 88%
Respondents expressed less comfort with Asian
Americans as a “boss or supervisor” or “as As a co-worker 87%
President or Vice President of the United States.”
As a member of the family 84%

As a boss or supervisor 83%

As President or Vice President of the U.S. 72%

29
Perceptions and Stereotypes

21%
academic
Over 70% of Americans excellence

believe Asian Americans

have benefited the U.S., In what ways have Asian
especially in the areas of Americans strongly
benefited the U.S.?
positive economic
impact, academic
excellence, and medical
advancements
Other top answers include hard work/work ethic, 28%
technology, and culture/food. positive economic
impact
13%
medical

advancements

30
Perceptions and Stereotypes

These contributions are % of Americans who said Asian Americans have “strongly benefited”
or “benefited” the U.S.
recognized across the
political spectrum 71% 72% 75%
71% of Democrats, 72% of Independents, and 75% of of Democrats of Independents of Republicans
Republicans believe Asian Americans have
benefited the U.S.

31
Perceptions and Stereotypes

Compared to 2021, % of Americans who agreed

that Asian Americans are more
Americans in 2022 are loyal to their country of origin 2022
more likely to question than to the United States
the loyalty of Asian 33%
Americans
Alarmingly, those who believe that Asian Americans
are more loyal to their country of origin increased 2021
from 20% to 33% over the past year.
20%

32
Perceptions and Stereotypes

2022

Compared to 2021, % of Americans who agreed 21%

that Asian Americans are at
Americans in 2022 are least partly responsible for
more likely to say that COVID-19

Asian Americans are at

least partly responsible
for COVID-19 2021
More Americans in 2022 say anti-Chinese names
for COVID-19, such as “Wuhan virus,” are
11%
appropriate.

33
Section Four

Visibility and
Awareness
 58%
11% All other

Don't know
Most Americans cannot
name a prominent Asian
American when asked
7%
3%
In 2022, 58% of respondents are unable to name a Jackie Chan
prominent Asian American, highlighting once again
the invisibility of Asian Americans in the eyes of
most Americans.

Kamala Harris

4% 5% Bruce Lee 1%
Lucy Liu

3%
Among Asian Americans named by respondents, Margaret Cho

the top three are the same as last year — Jackie 2%

Chan (who is not American), Bruce Lee, and Lucy George Takei
1%
Connie Chung
Liu. The most common non-actors cited are 1% 2%
Kamala Harris and Connie Chung. Based on his Nathan Chen
Awkwafina 2% Michelle Kwan

Andrew Yang
fame from his recent Olympic gold medal, Nathan 1% 1% 1%
1%
Chen is also mentioned.
Sanjay Gupta Jet Li
1% 1%
Jeremy Lin

Lisa Ling Kim Jong-Un

Tiger Woods 1%
Sandra Oh
35
Visibility and Awareness Kung Fu/Martial Arts/Expert 10%
Geisha/Sex worker/Prostitute/Stripper 10%
Don’t know 10%
Americans still primarily
see Asian American Janitor/Maid/Cleaner 10%
women portrayed in
stereotypical and
Supporting roles 9%
negative roles in TV and Doctor 7%
movies
Asian American women are most often seen in a Submissive 6%
variety of stereotypical or less desirable roles, such
as Geisha/Sex Worker/Prostitute, Kung Fu/Martial In TV or movies,
Artist and Janitor/Maid/Cleaner. Mom 5% Asian American
women are often
portrayed in which
Wife/Spouse 5% types of character
roles?
36 Sexy/Hot/Beautiful/
Attractive 5%
Visibility and Awareness

17% In TV or movies, Asian

29%
Kung Fu/Martial Arts/Expert
Criminal/Gangs/
Drug Dealers/Villain
American men are often
portrayed in which types
of character roles?

Similarly, Americans
primarily see Asian
American men in 9% 4%
Smart/

8%
Doctor
stereotypical and Intelligent

negative roles in TV and Supporting roles

movies 4%
Nerdy/Nerd

Common answers included Kung Fu/Martial Artist 6%

Lead roles
and Criminal/Gangster.
3%
6% Funny/Witty/
Comedic Relief
Executives/
Business People
6%
Don't know

37
Visibility and Awareness Black Americans 74%
Asian Americans 88%
Latino Americans 76%
The vast majority of White Americans 68%
Americans across all
“I would be interested to see more Asian American
racial groups express characters in TV and the movies.”
interest to see more Yes Not Sure No
Asian American actors
On a positive note, 71% of Americans said they
18–24 83%
would like to see more Asian Americans in TV and
movies, with younger and very liberal respondents
25–34 78%
the most keen. Perhaps the popularity of TV shows
and movies such as Squid Game, Shang-Chi and 35–44 73%
the Legend of the Ten Rings, and Quantico has
increased the interests of the general public for 45–54 70%
more Asian American content.
55–64 64%
38
65+ 62%
Visibility and Awareness

The leading sources of information about Asian

Americans for most Americans are News, Social
Media, and TV/Music/Movies

Where do you get most of your perceptions or knowledge about Asian Americans?
Asian Americans Black Americans Latino Americans White Americans

1 Family 1 News 1 Social Media 1 News

2 Social Media 2 TV, Music, or Movies 2 News 2 TV, Music, or Movies

3 Friends 3 Social Media 3 TV, Music, or Movies 3 Social Media

4 News 4 Friends 4 Friends 4 Friends

5 TV, Music, or Movies 5 School 5 School 5 Family

6 Colleagues 6 Family 6 Family 6 Colleagues

Section Five

Recommendations
 Do you think that anti-Asian American
racism is a problem that should be
addressed by Americans?

72% of Americans believe

72%
racism against Asian 15% Yes

Americans should be No

addressed

The vast majority of Americans across race, age,

and gender believe anti-Asian American racism is a
problem that should be addressed.

14% Not Sure

41
Visibility and Awareness

Americans who are more liberal and live in areas

with a higher concentration of Asian Americans are
more likely to believe anti-Asian American racism is
a problem that should be addressed.

82%
% of Americans who think that anti-Asian American racism
is a problem that should be addressed by Americans
Metro areas where Asians account for more than 10% of the population

77% of Liberals
Metro areas where Asians account for 5–10% of the population

73%
Metro areas where Asians account for 3–5% of the population

71%
Metro areas where Asians account for less than 3% of the population

65% 63%
of Conservatives

42
Recommendations

More interaction Stronger laws and

More education and between Asian greater protection for

Education is the
information Americans and others Asian Americans Other

preferred solution to All Respondents 39% 28% 26% 6%

fight anti-Asian
American racism White American
Respondents 39% 31% 22% 8%
While we see support for “more interaction
between Asian Americans and others in the U.S.”
and “stronger laws and greater protection for Asian Black American 36% 29% 31% 4%
Respondents
Americans,” the most popular response across all
racial groups is “more education and information
about Asian American history and experiences.” Latino American 42% 23% 31% 4%
Respondents
Asian Americans seek both education and stronger
laws/greater protection to address the hate and
racism facing our community. Asian American
Respondents 36% 19% 41% 3%

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R e c o m m e n d at i o n s

When you think about the history and

experience of Asian Americans in this

country, what significant events or

policies come to mind?

A large percentage of 8%
Building railroads

Americans lack 3%
COVID

knowledge about the 14%

Atomic bomb/attack

history and experience of on Pearl Harbor

Asian Americans, 4%
Vietnam War

especially after World 2%

Chinese New Year

War II

42%
2%
Food

2%

17%
Korean War

Don’t know

4% WWII Internment

Stop Asian Hate

44
2% bill passage
War/wars
Recommendations

% of Americans who said they are familiar with the following

historical Asian American events
Extremely or Moderately Familiar Somewhat or Slightly Familiar Not at all Familiar
Even when prompted
with specific events, The increase in Southeast Asian American refugees to the U.S. after the Vietnam War

40% 38% 22%

many Americans are not
very familiar with the Chinese Exclusion Act or restrictions on immigration from Asia

23% 31% 46%

history and experience of
Asian Americans World War II incarceration of the Japanese American community

52% 32% 16%

There is a vast lack of knowledge of such
significant events in Asian American history as the The mistreatment of South Asian Americans after 9/11

Chinese Exclusion Act or other restrictions on Asian 28% 33% 40%

American immigration since 1882, the murder of
The murder of Vincent Chin in Detroit in 1982
Vincent Chin in 1982, and the mistreatment of South
Asian Americans after 9/11 in 2001. 12% 21% 67%

45
2%
War/Wars
Recommendations

As shown by the data in the STAATUS Index, there is Secondly, we must provide resources to victims of
a critical need to address the lack of: anti-Asian racism and explore ways to mobilize
Knowledge and understanding about Asian support and protection for Asian Americans who
Americans remain vulnerable to anti-Asian racism.
Safety and protection for the Asian American To create greater belonging and acceptance for
community Asian Americans and other communities of color,
Belonging and acceptance for Asian Americans we need to support the production of creative
and other communities of color media (movies, television, music, and other forms of
As a priority, we must preserve, commemorate, and storytelling) that feature Asian American actors and
teach our diverse histories, narratives, and performers in the full expression of our humanity to
experiences, including and especially the historical counter stereotypical portrayals of Asian Americans
and ongoing impact of systemic racism on Asian that have negatively affected our community for
Americans and Pacific Islanders and the histories of generations.
cross-racial solidarity. This teaching and learning Finally, we need to work together across the racial
must take place at all levels of education and divides with other concerned organizations to find
amongst the broader American public. common solutions to the declining state of race
relations and the growing inequality, racial animus,
and discrimination that affect us all.

46
Conclusion
For the past two years, Asian Americans have lived In the 2021 survey, respondents pointed to Trump minority” that has harmed not only our community
in a period of mourning, anger, fear, and exhaustion and COVID-19 as the main reasons for anti-Asian but also other communities of color.
from the devastation of COVID-19 and the surge in American sentiment, but this year’s findings remind
In its second year, the STAATUS Index provides a
anti-Asian violence, bigotry, and hate crimes. At a us again of the underlying racist and xenophobic
clear path forward. The majority of Americans
time when attacks against our community have tropes associated with Asians as “perpetual
believe that addressing anti-Asian racism is a
increased, we have seen a corresponding rise in foreigners” that have led to the systematic racism,
problem that should be addressed, and have
anti-Asian American sentiment among non-Asian discrimination, violence, and exclusion against our
pointed to education as the most recommended
Americans, particularly those who are less community for generations.
solution. Teaching about Asian Americans’
educated and more marginalized.
Compared to last year, a greater percentage of experiences in our curricula — alongside those of
Compared to last year’s STAATUS Index, non-Asian Americans cannot name a single prominent Asian African Americans, Native Americans, and Latino
Americans are more likely to say that Asian American: 58% cannot come up with a single name, Americans — will help educate Americans about
Americans are at least partly responsible for and 42% cannot identify a single policy or the fraught history of Asian America. And seeing
COVID-19. They are also more likely to agree that experience about Asian Americans. This invisibility our narratives represented alongside those of other
referring to the coronavirus as the “Wuhan virus” or points to the moral urgency to educate the Americans will also enhance Asian Americans’
“Chinese virus” is appropriate — disregarding the broader American public about the diverse sense of belonging.
World Health Organization’s advice of not histories, experiences, and attitudes of Asian
That younger and U.S.-born Asian Americans are
attaching locations or ethnicity to disease in order Americans. In doing so, we aim to disrupt the
less likely to feel like they belong in the U.S. reflects
to avoid stigmatization. narrow, pernicious stereotype of the “model

47
the invisibility of Asian Americans in our high school belonging will lay the foundation for the next
and university curricula, as well as in movies, in generation of leaders who will shape both
media, and in leadership. How many years will it perceptions and policy.
take before Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee are no
We look forward to a better future for Asian
longer cited as the most prominent Asian
Americans, and to tracking our progress with the
Americans in our survey? What will it take for Asian
STAATUS Index in the years to come.
American women to be cast in more diverse roles in
TV and movies? And when will Americans realize
that Asian Americans are severely
underrepresented on corporate boards and
university leadership?

Despite these challenges, the prognosis for the

future of the Asian American community is positive.
Providing richer, more authentic content to a
receptive American audience will help to change
stereotypes and attitudes. Working with Asian
American youth, who feel a strong sense of Asian
American identity, to build greater pride and

48
Acknowledgements Our Partners
Academic Advisory Committee
Paul Watanabe, Professor, UMass Boston, Chai
Russell Jeung, Professor, San Francisco State
Universit Contact Information
Erika Lee, Professor, University of Minnesot
Jennifer Lee, Professor, Columbia Universit Website
Pei-Te Lien, Professor, University of California,
https://staatus-index.org/
Santa Barbar
Mike Hoa Nguyen, Professor, University of Denve Email
Karthick Ramakrishnan, Professor, University of
California, Riversid [email protected]
Karen Umemoto, Professor, University of
Social Media
California, Los Angeles
twitter @go_laaunch @taaforg
Baileigh Allen 
 Edelman

Savanta Research 
 Evergreen Strategy Group
 instagram @go_laaunch @taaforg
The DataFace
 Enfranchisement
 facebook-f /golaaunch /taaforg
Kim Granlund 
 LAAUNCH team

linkedin-in /laaunch /taaforg
Jonas Tungodden TAAF team

49