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A Victory for the Ages
By GWEN MURANAKA
RAFUENGLISH EDITOR IN CHIEF
Saturday, Nov. 8, 2008
Asian American supporters of Barack Obama savor historic victory, urge immigration reform.
Associated Press
President-elect Barack Obama looks out into the crowd after his acceptance
speech at Grant Park in Chicago Tuesday night. Asian Americans, two percent
of the electorate, voted for Obama 62 percent to 35 percent for Republican
rival John McCain, according to a New York Times poll.
MIKEY HIRANO CULROSS/Rafu Shimpo
Yushi Yamazaki of Japan joins in celebrating Obama’s
victory in the Leimert Park section of Los Angeles.
A generational shift, a historic moment, a chance to party—Asian Americans joined in the celebration on Wednesday night as Barack Obama was elected the first African American president in U.S. history. Thousands gathered at a victory celebration at the Century Plaza Hotel hosted by the California Democratic Party.
The Illinois senator, the biracial product of Hawaii’s Punahou High School and Chicago’s southside, said his victory was a rebuke of the politics of cynicism and fear.
“If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer,” he said, addressing a crowd of 125,000 at Chicago’s Grant Park.
Asian Americans voted overwhelmingly for Obama. According to the New York Times poll, Asians favored Obama 62 percent to 35 percent for Republican rival John McCain. Obama bested the performance of 2004 Democratic nominee John Kerry, who received 58 percent of the Asian American vote to 41 percent for George W. Bush. Asians comprised two percent of the total electorate and are one of the fastest growing segments of the population.
Assemblymember Mike Eng (D-Monterey Park), who also won his election on Tuesday, said Asians could identify with Obama’s life history. Eng cited his Hawaiian roots and Harvard education as part of Obama’s appeal.
“I think the fact that he understands the experiences of Asians who were born in other countries and yet are caught between one or more countries. He had a father from Kenya, a mother who is American. I think many, many Asian Americans find themselves in that place too,” said Eng.
As the presidential campaign moved from the Iraq War to the meltdown of the economy, the issue of immigration was virtually ignored by both candidates during the last months of the race.
Surajit Chakravarty, an Indian studying city planning at USC, said he was skeptical whether Obama represented that much of a policy change for America.
“It was very exciting, I’m glad that Obama won, but I don’t know if it really represents a big change,” said Chakravarty, “My biggest concern was that both parties were very silent on immigration. Neither party made any statements on immigration, it did not come up at all. My concern about Obama is that he’s not talking about peace, he’s talking about shrinking the war in Iraq to start a bigger operation in Afghanistan.”
Asian American immigration rights groups celebrated Obama’s victory, but also called on him to implement reform of the immigration system. They focused on new policies that would promote family unity and tackle the government bureaucracy that has prevented many from receiving visas to join family members.
“The threshold issue for Asian Americans is immigration reform,” said Titi Liu, executive director of San Francisco-based Asian Law Caucus. “Our community has been impacted by the flawed policies of this past administration and our broken and outdated system. The Obama administration will need to assert immigration reform as a priority during its first year in office.”
In Century City, the hotel ballroom, site of this year’s Japanese American National Museum Gala, was filled with thousands of revelers and thousands more waiting outside, the party closed off by fire marshals due to overcrowding. Many young Asian Americans who volunteered for the campaign were there to witness history.
“It was fantastic, we were a little disappointed because Prop. 8 did pass, which made it a little bittersweet,” said Chris Yee, an Obama volunteer. “But that being said, I think the election of Barack Obama is really taking us in the right direction. For the first time in my life, I made phone calls for a presidential campaign. After what happened to us in 2000 and 2004, I thought it would be too close and if McCain got elected I would never forgive myself, so it was critical that I at least do my part.”
Dennis Kang of Torrance waited outside the hotel as police and firefighters managed the crowd. He had been up since 2 a.m., walking precincts and handing out flyers before going to his job at Little Company of Mary Hospital in San Pedro.
“The last election cycle our voice started, now the tide has turned, the wave has been created,” said Kang. “I couldn’t stand by the sidelines anymore. It’s been eight years, the young voices of people who haven’t been involved, it was time for us to get involved and it took one vote, one person at a time. It’s unprecedented what he’s been able to accomplish.”
Laurel Joe, who works in marketing in Santa Monica, said she had made phone calls to battleground states of Pennsylvania, Missouri and Colorado, urging people to get out and vote.
“I think it’s been really inspiring to see how one person can make a difference and get involved,” said Joe. “ I’m looking forward to participating more in government moving forward with Barack as our president.”
Linda Chen of Cerritos was with a group of members of 80/20, the Asian American political advocacy group. 80/20 endorsed Obama early in the general election campaign.
“I think we made a big difference. Obama has some new changes and that’s what we’re looking for,” said Chen.
Chihiro Minato, a professor at Tama Art University in Tokyo, decided to spend his last day in Los Angeles at the site of the Obama celebration. He wasn’t sure what or if his students had an opinion about America’s president-elect.
“I’m going to ask them tomorrow. I have never seen such brilliant faces of the American people. It’s exciting and joyful,” Minato said. |
