January 25, 2023 IN: Press Room

SEARAC Applauds Historic White House Plan in Support of AANHPI Equity

Washington, DC — Last week, the Biden-Harris Administration’s White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI) outlined a national strategy to advance equity, justice, and opportunity for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities. 

Representing a coordinated effort across 32 federal agencies, the blueprint includes steps to combat anti-Asian hate, collect race and ethnicity data in national education datasets, and broaden language access, among other directives. 

As a staunch advocate for data equity and transparency, language justice, and universal healthcare, SEARAC applauds WHIAANHPI’s efforts to acknowledge and address both the pressing needs and systemic inequities that have impacted our communities for decades.

“Southeast Asian American (SEAA) students, parents, elders, and caregivers have long sought visibility in data to increase equity of representation, resources, and services that our communities urgently need,” said Katrina Dizon Mariategue, SEARAC Acting Executive Director. “SEARAC commends the Biden-Harris Administration and WHIAANHPI for taking this historic step in introducing a pathway for SEAA families to thrive and not just survive, and we look forward to working with the White House in ensuring that it continues to include our community voices in its vision for a more equitable America.”