Our Work: STAATUS Index 2022

The Status of Asian Americans Today

Asian Americans face a somber reality in 2022: Despite a new administration, a relative decline in the severity of the Covid-19 pandemic, and an improved economy, attacks against our community continue to increase at alarming rates.

This year’s STAATUS Index reveals and reminds us that racism against Asian Americans is deeply embedded in American history, culture and institutions, and has been for over 150 years.

The “model minority” and “perpetual foreigner” stereotypes continue to harm our community and divide us from other communities of color.

The majority of Americans believe that anti-Asian racism should be addressed, and have pointed to education as a leading solution.

The time is now for greater awareness and action.

You can explore the data here: 2022 STAATUS Index Report

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About the report

Tracking American Attitudes towards Asian Americans

The STAATUS Index is based on multiple frameworks from social psychology. As demonstrated throughout history, stereotypes and misperceptions of marginalized groups can and have led to scapegoating, violence, and even genocide during times of crisis. “Othering” or the opposite of belonging promotes prejudice and divides communities.

Highlights

This year’s expanded STAATUS Index builds on the work of the ground-breaking 2021 study to better understand stereotypes and misperceptions of Asian Americans within a representative sample of over 5,000 Americans across racial groups, demographics, and geographies.

Race Relations in America

There is broad agreement people of color are much more discriminated against compared to white Americans.

62% of Americans say Black Americans are discriminated against, and 56% for Asian Americans and 53% for Latino Americans.

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Race Relations in America

One-third of Americans are unaware of the increase in attacks against Asian Americans.

Anti-Asian hate crimes increased 339% in 2021, compared to 2020 (The Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism).

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Belonging and Acceptance

Asian Americans are the least likely to feel that they belong and are accepted in the U.S.

Only 29% of Asian Americans and 33% of Black Americans completely agree that they feel accepted within American society.

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Perceptions and Stereotypes

70% of Americans see Asian Americans contributing positively to the U.S.

However, Americans overall still view Asian Americans in model minority terms and in stereotypical roles.

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Perceptions and Stereotypes

70% of Americans believe that anti-Asian American racism should be addressed.

The vast majority of Americans across race, age, and gender believe anti-Asian American racism is a problem.

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What changed in 2022?

32%

Question Loyalty

of Americans agreed that Asian Americans are more loyal to their country of origin than to the United States, a 12% jump from 2021.

21%

Responsible for COVID-19

of Americans agreed that Asian Americans are at least partly responsible for COVID-19, compared to 11% last year.

What Didn't change in 2022?

Not top of mind.

In 2022, 58% of respondents are still unable to name a prominent Asian American.

Jackie, Lucy,
and Bruce.

The top three responses were Jackie Chan, Lucy Liu, and Bruce Lee.

Smart, nice,
and hard working.

Respondents still see Asian Americans in “model minority” terms — as smart, nice, and hard- working adjectives that haven't changed in a year.

Methodology

Sample Size

The results of this report are based on a national survey of 5,113 U.S. residents aged 18 and over, conducted online between February 10 to 28, 2022.

Validity

Results are valid within +/-1.4% at the 95% confidence level. This margin of error increases with subgroup analyses.

Weighting

Survey sample weighted using parameters from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey to reflect the national population.

Population Focus

Given the unique identities and perceptions of the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) population, the focus of the STAATUS Index is on the Asian American population.Further research is needed to analyze perceptions and attitudes towards the NHPI community.

Our Donors

LAAUNCH is a volunteer-based, non-profit organization. Our donors allow LAAUNCH to fund the programs needed to fight anti-Asian racism, increase Asian American representation, and provide the resources needed to create a brighter future.

Corporations

Partners

Individuals

Paul Watanabe, Professor

UMass Boston, Chair

Russell Jeung, Professor

San Francisco State University

Erika Lee, Professor

TAAF Advisory Council Member, University of Minnesota

Jennifer Lee, Professor

Columbia University

Pei-Te Lien, Professor

University of California, Santa Barbara

Mike Hoa Nguyen, Assistant Professor

University of Denver

Karthick Ramakrishnan, Professor

University of California, Riverside

Karen Umemoto, Professor

University of California, Los Angeles

Acknowledgments

Baileigh Allen

Savanta Research

The DataFace

Kim Granlund

Dr. Jonas Tungodden

Edelman

Evergreen Strategy Group

Enfranchisement

LAAUNCH team

TAAF team

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Make a donation

Revealing perceptions of Asian Americans across the U.S.

The Status of Asian Americans Today

Tracking American Attitudes towards Asian Americans

There is broad agreement people of color are much more discriminated against compared to white Americans.

One-third of Americans are unaware of the increase in attacks against Asian Americans.

Asian Americans are the least likely to feel that they belong and are accepted in the U.S.

70% of Americans see Asian Americans contributing positively to the U.S.

More Americans are questioning the loyalty of Asian Americans.

70% of Americans believe that anti-Asian American racism should be addressed.