Introducing Volume 31

Foreword by Aimee Hwang and Dawn Kang

The Asian American Policy Review (AAPR) has a celebrated past as the country’s first non- partisan academic policy journal focusing on the AAPI community. This year, for the first time in the 31 years of AAPR, everything was moved online. We worked and studied remotely. Our editorial staff met as strangers through the screen. Our difficulties to adapt to this new online world is just one element of the AAPI experience of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The year 2020 spoke for itself, and we wanted to capture the AAPI experience of these times through the journal. With the COVID-19 outbreak in the U.S. in early 2020 came a rise in anti-Asian hate crimes as well as financial hardships, especially for communities of color. These experiences highlighted the importance of resilience and community networks in the AAPI community. Waves of protest across the country centered around the Black Lives Matter movement in summer 2020 showed us a need for racial allyship. On top of everything else, 2020 was also a presidential election year, and the campaigns, debates, and polling revealed the importance of AAPI political engagement and using our platforms to elevate AAPI voices in this country. 2020 was unpredictable, dramatic, and messy, and life will never quite be the same.

We are uplifted by the authors we have featured in this 31st edition of AAPR, who have raised their voices against injustice, inequality, and racism. This year’s edition showcases a call for more allyship and self-reflection for racial justice in the fight against white supremacy and inequality, while also highlighting the many things our community should celebrate. The Asian American community has made great strides to claiming our political and social power.

We are honored to present the 31st edition of the Asian American Policy Review. This edition could not have been possible without the efforts of our many supporters. Our staff is thankful for the guidance and support from our publisher Martha Foley and our faculty advisor Richard Parker. We thank our Advisory Board for their commitment in supporting our mission and staff. We are also grateful for our authors who have contributed thoughtful and timely pieces. Lastly, this journal could not have been published in the middle of a pandemic without our incredible staff. Their commitment to community-building and uplifting diverse AAPI voices has been the force behind this edition.

With gratitude,
Aimee Hwang and Dawn Kang
Co-Editors-in-Chief