New Council Districts Highlight the Growth and Diversity of Asian New Yorkers
July 23, 2013
New York, NY— Today, the Asian American Federation released a briefing paper that details the Asian population, ethnic breakdowns and the major Asian languages spoken in each of the 51 Council Districts based on new lines finalized in May 2013.
“As discussed in our demographics report in April 2012, the Asian population remains the fastest growing in the City,” said Howard Shih, Census Programs Director at the Federation. “But to see the Asian American community as monolithic would be erroneous. The population numbers disguise the diversity of our population. With the upcoming City elections, term limits, and with many of the Council Districts slated for new representatives, we hope this will be a useful tool for the incoming City Council to better serve our Asian community,” added Shih.
Some of the key highlights from the briefing paper are:
“As discussed in our demographics report in April 2012, the Asian population remains the fastest growing in the City,” said Howard Shih, Census Programs Director at the Federation. “But to see the Asian American community as monolithic would be erroneous. The population numbers disguise the diversity of our population. With the upcoming City elections, term limits, and with many of the Council Districts slated for new representatives, we hope this will be a useful tool for the incoming City Council to better serve our Asian community,” added Shih.
Some of the key highlights from the briefing paper are:
- In addition to one majority Asian district, eleven other districts had more than one in five residents who were Asian.
- Four City Council Districts were home to a very diverse mix of Asian ethnic groups. Each of these districts had seven or more different Asian groups who each had populations of more than 1,000 people.
- The diversity of Asian languages spoken in the city is a particular challenge when reaching out to the community.
“This report is an invaluable tool that will serve to help elected officials better understand the growing Asian population in New York City,” said Council Member Daniel Dromm, who represents Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, and East Elmhurst. Dromm’s district, one of the most ethnically diverse areas in the City, saw an increase of over 8,000 Asians in the total district population. “The data in this document provides key insight into my district that will enable me to better communicate and understand a vital part of my constituency”.
As the briefing paper points out, Council District 20, centered in Flushing, remains the district with the largest Asian population at 66% of the population. “While I represent the largest Asian population, it is important to note that Asians are living throughout the City. The myth that Asians live in identifiable enclaves [has] long been dispelled. Our city leaders have to be mindful of the diversity of the Asian community, from languages spoken to the cultural practices,” said Council Member Peter Koo. “The onus is on us – the elected leaders – to hear their issues, address their concerns, and make room for them to contribute to their neighborhoods,” added Koo.
Manhattan’s Chinatown still remains as a district with one of the largest Asian populations. “My constituency represents one of the largest populations of Asians and Asian Americans in New York City, and this report highlights what we already know: we must have greater service and resources in these growing communities,” said Council Member Margaret S. Chin, who represents the area. “Cultural understanding, linguistic access, and civic participation are essential keys to ensuring that these voices are heard.”
“The briefing paper shows our growing electoral strength. Asian New Yorkers can play a significant role in determining the next leaders of our city in the upcoming elections,” said Cao K. O, executive director of the Federation. “And our community must re-cast our importance in the city’s civic matters. We have to be willing to embrace this opportunity by going to the polls.”
To access the report, please visit: http://aafederation.org/headlines.asp?hid=141
From the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs: Host a Community Conversation on Immigration
Receive $200 for hosting a conversation
Community-based groups and organizations are eligible to receive a $200 stipend from the Council for hosting a Community Conversation by registering to be a featured site. Featured sites must register their event in advance and complete a final evaluation, including attendance information. Facilitators at featured sites are required to attend a free 60-minute facilitator-training webinar. Training webinars will be offered at the following throughout the summer and fall; see the Council’s webinars page to learn more and sign up.
For more information about hosting a Community Conversation, contact Senior Program Officer Erika Halstead ([email protected] / 212.233.1131).
New Community Conversations Toolkits on Immigration
From New Netherland to New York, immigrants from every part of the world have made their home in our state. Community Conversations invites New Yorkers to explore our shared history as immigrants and the descendants of immigrants, and to discuss the ways that immigration continues to shape the experience of being American today. Each conversation uses a short text as a starting point for discussions about cultural understanding and our roles as active citizens in a diverse and democratic society.
There are community conversation toolkits for children, young adults, and adults. All of the toolkits contain everything you need to host these “do-it-yourself” discussions, including: texts suitable for each audience; a set of sample questions; guidelines for starting and sustaining good conversations; tips for hosting a conversation; and a sample participant evaluation. Anyone can register and download the toolkits for free from our website.
NAPABA Disaster Relief Database
The NAPABA Pro Bono and Community Service Committee introduces the disaster relief database. The database provides information on federal and local level resources on disaster relief and preparation. To address the needs of limited English proficient members of the APA community, many of the resources on the database are available in various Asian languages.
AABANY Co-Sponsors: Community Briefing: The Immigration Reform Debate
On Sunday, May 19, you’re invited to a Community Briefing: The Immigration Reform Debate. This year, President Obama has made immigration reform a major priority. Congress wants to make major changes to our immigration laws that will have a lasting effect on our community. What are the proposals? How can we have an impact on the debates and the process? Come find out more. Rsvp required (limited space). If you would like to attend, please contact us at [email protected] or 212-274-1891.
Print English Flyer
Print Chinese Flyer
Chinese translation provided
Refreshments provided
Cohosts: Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, Chinese Progressive Association, OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates-NY Chapter
Co-sponsors: Asian American Bar Association of NY, Asian American/Asian Research Institute CUNY, Chinatown Manpower Project, Chinatown Partnership, Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, Chinatown YMCA, Greater Chinatown Community Association, Hamilton Madison House, Lin Sing Association, Local 23-25 Workers United, MinKwon Center, Museum of Chinese in America, OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates-Westchester & Hudson Valley Chapter, New York Immigration Coalition.
SABA-DC 2013 Public Interest Fellowship
The South Asian Bar Association of Washington DC (SABA-DC) is proud to announce our 2013 Public Interest Fellowship. The primary purpose of the fellowship is to help fund one or more law students’ summer internships with a public interest organization for the benefit of the South Asian community and the metropolitan D.C. area. We have previously awarded fellowships ranging from $1000 – $5000.
SABA-DC strives to promote the professional development of South Asian lawyers and law students, educate the South Asian community about relevant legal issues, expand and enhance business and professional opportunities for South Asians, increase the participation of South Asians in civic affairs and government, facilitate the exchange of ideas and information to South Asians, and foster goodwill, fellowship, and unity among the South Asian community.
Please apply by Friday March 29.
Fellowship applications are available at: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BxsYNsuAMpgzM3U3cVRKWGJJMXc/edit
Please send all application materials to [email protected] SABA-DC prefers to receive all materials electronically.
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On January 31, AABANY’s Judiciary Committee co-organized a community celebration in New York’s Chinatown in honor of the Hon. Randall T. Eng to recognize his historic elevation to Presiding Justice, Appellate Division, Second Department, the first Asian American to be appointed to this position. About 250 attendees filled Delight 28 located at 28 Pell Street in Manhattan’s Chinatown, next door to the building that Presiding Justice Eng and his family first moved into upon arriving in the United States from Hong Kong.
Many AABANY members were present, including President Jean Lee, Immediate Past President Linda Lin and past presidents James Chou, Vincent Chang, Yang Chen and Glenn Lau-Kee. The Prosecutors’ Committee also turned out in force, having honored Presiding Justice Eng as a trailblazer in 2011. Rosemary Yu, ADA from the New York County DA’s office, was one of the organizers of the event, together with Mark Fang, who came to know Justice Eng through the JAG Corp.
Presiding Justice Eng’s parents, wife, sister and in-laws also came out to celebrate along with many community members and leaders, not just in Chinatown but from Westchester as well.
We thank everyone who attended for making this a truly memorable and special occasion.
Press Release: AABANY Celebrates the Appointment of the Hon. Justice Randall T. Eng
The Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) and the AABANY Judiciary Committee celebrate the historic appointment of the Honorable Justice Randall T. Eng as Presiding Justice of the New York Supreme Court Appellate Division, Second Department with a celebratory community dinner.
Justice Eng will be the guest of honor at a celebratory dinner to be held Thursday, January 31, 2013. The dinner will bring together Asian American organizations from all over New York, including Chinatown-based civic groups, Asian Americans in law enforcement, lawyers, judges, law students, and friends. The dinner will be held at 6:30P.M. at Delight 28 Restaurant, 28 Pell Street New York, New York 10013.
Justice Eng is the first Asian American to serve as a Presiding Justice in New York State’s history. With this appointment, Justice Eng adds to his long list of notable ‘firsts,’ such as being the first Asian Pacific American Assistant District Attorney in the State of New York, for which the AABANY Prosecutors’ Committee honored him at its third anniversary reception in 2011.
“Justice Eng has demonstrated strong leadership and exceptional jurisprudential skill at every level in our court system and will do so as Presiding Justice. Moreover, as an Asian American trailblazer, Justice Eng is an inspiration to the Asian American bar and the Asian American community at large,” said Vincent Chang, Co-Chair of AABANY’s Judiciary Committee.
To read the full text of the press release go to: http://aabany.org/associations/6701/files/PR%20-%20AABANY%20-%20Randall%20Eng%20dinner_final.pdf