Texas AAPI Advocacy Collective Recommends Policy Solutions to Improve the Lives of Asian American Pacific Islanders in Texas
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 8th, 2023
AUSTIN, TEXAS — The Texas AAPI Advocacy Collective (TAAC), a coalition of Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPI) serving organizations across all corners of Texas, is calling for increased policy solutions to address the unique daily challenges faced by AAPI Texans. When we are using the word “AAPI,” we are referring to Pacific Islander, Southeast Asia, South Asia, West Asia, Central Asia, and East Asian cultures. With more than 1.9 million AAPIs living in Texas, TAAC is dedicated to seeking the full agency of all AAPI Texans. TAAC is a growing collective that includes Asian Texans for Justice (ATJ), Indian American Impact Project, OCA-Greater Houston (OCA), South Asian American Education Fund (SAAVETXEF), and Woori Juntos. The collective is committed to driving the most impactful policy solutions, championing efforts for communities to have accessible tools needed to thrive.
TAAC is recommending the following policy solutions for the Texan AAPI community:
Language Access: TAAC is calling for increased access to in-language care that includes translated documents and resources within the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, creation of an effective Language Access Plan, disaggregation of data on AAPI students to identify gaps and enact solutions, and language support in voting to ensure equal access to civic participation.
Public Education: TAAC is calling for more equitable funding for schools, including investments into mental health services, and encouraging the advancement of Asian American history, cultures, literature, and investment in the well-being of all youth.
Voting Rights: TAAC is urging the 88th Legislature to reform voting laws to eliminate burdensome inaccessible voting restrictions and to support voting accessibility for AAPI Texans.
Anti-Asian Discrimination: TAAC condemns all proposed legislation that discriminates and unjustly targets AAPIs, including anti-Alien land laws, such as Senate Bill 147, and calls for an end to violence and injustices against AAPI communities.
"As the 88th Texas Legislature Session convenes, TAAC is committed to advocating for people of Asian descent and additional marginalized identities in Texas. We call on our Texas lawmakers to take this opportunity to propose and pass policies that will embolden all AAPIs in Texas."
- Hyunja Norman (She/Her/Hers), Executive Director, Woori Juntos
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Asian Texans for Justice connects Asian Texans of all identities to meaningful civic action to build personal and political power for future generations.
Indian American Impact Project - to build power for the Indian American and South Asian community and enact progressive change by activating, engaging, and electing Indian Americans and South Asians across the United States, and working with our allies to deliver policies that lift up all communities.
OCA-Greater Houston is a volunteer driven organization of community advocates that strives to meet the current and evolving needs of a diverse population through a comprehensive continuum of programs targeting different life stages of AAPIs with a focus on developing advocacy, leadership, and civic engagement participation of AAPIs.
South Asian American Voter Empowerment of Texas Education Fund is a grassroots-based organization dedicated to lifting the voices of our diverse South Asian American community to the halls of governance. Their mission is to register to vote for all South Asians in Texas so that they may actively participate in our democracy.
Woori Juntos is a grassroots-based organization created to build progressive power and promote the full participation of Asians, im/migrants, and all Texans within the justice movement.
