Thirty years ago, a group of students at Harvard and Berkeley came together to create the Asian American Policy Review. At the time, the editors wrote that “by improving understanding and fostering debate, we hope that the Review will help Asian Americans to continue to ‘break silences’ and find a voice in American society and politics.”
Three decades on, it is possible to see real gains for Asian Americans but also many of the same fundamental challenges identified by the original editors. Asian American individuals are increasingly visible in American politics and popular culture, but our communities continue to endure the impacts of housing instability, climate disasters, and deportations.
Despite those challenges, I am heartened by the authors featured in the 30th edition of this journal. This year’s edition showcases the remarkable range of people and organizations working among Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. The authors showcase the growing role of nonprofit organizations led by and serving AAPI community members and the continuing struggles of AAPI activists fighting to protect workers’ rights from corporate power and to safeguard the planet from an approaching climate crisis. Our authors address the wide range of experiences, identities, and intersections we can inhabit as members of the AAPI community.
The term “Asian American” originated with college students in 1960s California, working to unite students of different Asian heritages and organize in solidarity with Black, Latinx, and Native students fighting for more faculty and students of color and ethnic studies programs. As Asian Americans continue to fight for belonging and shared prosperity, I hope that we will carry the lessons of the first people to identify as Asian Americans. Our work to uplift our own communities cannot be separated from the struggle for racial equity, a fair economy, and other forms of justice in this country.
The 30th edition reflects the efforts of our many supporters. Our staff is grateful for the guidance, patience, and support of our publisher, Martha Foley, and our faculty advisor, Richard Parker. We thank our advisory board for supporting the mission and vision of the Review. We offer our thanks to our authors for their thoughtful contributions. Finally, I am thankful for the incredible staff of the Asian American Policy Review. This edition reflects their hard work and commitment to uplifting the voices of AAPI communities.
With gratitude,
ANDREW FAN
Editor-in-Chief