New York, NY (September 20, 2024) – As the final weeks count down until Election Day, Committee of 100, a nonprofit leadership organization of prominent Chinese Americans, called for an end to the anti-Chinese American, anti-AAPI and anti-China political rhetoric and negative advertising that is being used by Congressional and Presidential candidates of both major parties.
The rhetoric and bashing of the Chinese culture can – and does – have a direct impact of reinforcing negative stereotypes about Chinese Americans, increasing violence and xenophobia toward the population, and painting a compassionate culture with a negative undertone moved society backwards, not forward.
A Washington Post study from earlier this summer stated that there were 171 campaign ads for congressional or presidential candidates mentioning China so far this cycle – by both parties.
Painting all of China as bad has a negative and direct impact on the lives and safety of the nearly 6 million Chinese Americans in the U.S. today. According to the U.S. – China Business Council, $144 billion in goods was exported to China by the U.S., which supported more than 930,000 jobs.
Indeed, the U.S. and China have different philosophies on a host of issues but finding the common good to help solve like-minded global problems – the environment, healthcare and aging populations for example – and not covering an entire population or country in negative rhetoric will only lead to a more positive outcome for all and a better America.
The U.S Congressional and Presidential races should be an opportunity to highlight diverse opinions and strategies to solve problems for the American people – not bring into question patriotism and loyalty based on ethnic background, be it Chinese American or any other minority group.
Our hope is for all candidates to be mindful in their messaging and the suffering and consequences Chinese Americans deal with resulting from these political ads. The Chinese American voting bloc is on the rise. Between 2016 and 2020, Asian American voter turnout jumped from 49% to 59%, the largest increase of any racial or ethnic group, according to U.S. Census Bureau figures. According to Pew Research, in 2021, the 2.8 million Chinese American eligible voters in the U.S. accounted for the largest population of any Asian origin group.
The language and actions that those running for election (or re-election), current lawmakers, public officials, and opinion leaders use is important. Ending negative and racist rhetoric in politics requires a commitment to inclusivity, education, accountability, and respectful communication. By leading by example, engaging with communities, and promoting inclusive policies, politicians can help to create a more respectful and equitable society.
Tools and Resources from Committee of 100
Committee of 100 Diplomatic Language Guide Memo: This memo explains the important distinctions between references to China and the Chinese people and the PRC. It outlines specific categories of language that are dangerous, problematic, or unproductive, including examples of these categories. It also explains how historical context embedded in messaging can affect perception or receptivity. It is intended to provide a framework for assessing the language that officials and their staff use in public communications.
Committee of 100 Anti-Hate Glossary: Xenophobia in the U.S. towards Chinese Americans and the larger AAPI population often manifests across a myriad of words, phrases, and tropes. The COVID-19 crisis and irresponsible rhetoric by political leaders fueled a surge of discrimination and hate targeting Asian Americans. Even well-meaning individuals with strong political or policy backgrounds can miss what seems obvious to someone more learned in these discussions. To help combat this issue, Committee of 100 crafted an anti-hate glossary as a guide for identifying terms, phrases, and imagery often associated with the Asian community. The glossary can serve as an accessible reference with examples to illustrate the types of language to combat.
Alien Land Laws: Committee of 100 has been outspoken in denouncing the legislation in Florida, Texas and additional states that would limit the ability of non-U.S. citizens to purchase land in their state. To track the surge of 2024 legislation prohibiting property ownership by Chinese citizens (including permanent US residents) across the U.S., Committee of 100 has developed a database which identifies and explains such legislation considered, and in some cases passed, by Congress and state governments.
About Committee of 100
Committee of 100 is a nonprofit U.S. leadership organization of prominent Chinese Americans in business, government, academia, healthcare, and the arts focused on public policy engagement, civic engagement, and philanthropy. For over 30 years, Committee of 100 has served as the preeminent organization committed to the dual missions of promoting the full participation of Chinese Americans in all aspects of American life and constructive relations between the United States and Greater China.
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Contacts:
Charles Zinkowski
Sr. Director of Marketing & Communications
czinkowski@committee100.org
Sam Jones
Public Relations & Social Media Manager
sjones@committee100.org
