By Emran Wasim Khan Clayton State University One
* By Emran Wasim Khan Clayton State University
*One of the fastest growing ethnic groups in the United States of America is the Asian. American community. *How fast? *Data, based on the 2010 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94 -171) Summary File, the Asian population grew faster than any other race group in the US between 2000 and 2010. *
*This was observed for the population who reported Asian alone (increased 43 percent), as well as for the population who reported Asian alone or in combination with another race (increased 46 percent). *The Asian population continued to be concentrated in the West, and the Chinese population was the largest documented Asian group. *
*The proportion of civilian employed single-race Asians “ 16 and older” who worked in management, business, science and arts occupations, such as financial managers, engineers, teachers and registered nurses is about 48%. *Additionally, 17 percent worked in service occupations, 22 percent in sales and office occupations and 10 percent in production, transportation and material moving occupations. *There are 265, 200 single-race Asian military veterans. *
*The Asian alone or in combination population of 5. 6 million residents in California makes it the state which had the largest Asian population in the 2010 Census. It is followed by New York (1. 6 million). Hawaii had the highest proportion of Asians (57 percent). *
*The estimated number of U. S. residents of Asian descent, according to the 2010 Census is 17. 3 million. This group comprised 5. 6 percent of the total population. This count includes those who said they were both Asian alone (14. 7 million) and Asian in combination with one or more additional races (2. 6 million). *
*It wasn’t until 1978, a joint congressional resolution established Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week. *The first 10 days of May were chosen to coincide with two important milestones in Asian/Pacific American history: the arrival in the United States of the first Japanese immigrants (May 7, 1843) and contributions of Chinese workers to the building of the transcontinental railroad, completed May 10, 1869. * month-long *Despite such formal recognition, much remains to be achieved. *
*The reality of the numbers of Asian- Americans in law enforcement or related professions is not in line with the fast growing Asian-American population. *The population growth is not in sync with due, law enforcement or law-making, representation *
*The insensitive cycle contributes to the reality of trailing behind, leading to invisibility. *Such invisibility, often, adds to the lack of understanding of the role and responsibility of law enforcement agencies that serve the community. *
*These agencies foster suspicion in Asian Americans due to cultural differences and by protracted and prolonged factors as language barriers which unfortunately may not allow these minority groups to seek the help needed even in cases of victimization. *
*The issue, in the context of law enforcement &/or criminal justice training and education, is to ensure that we do everything to reverse such invisibility to visibility of all involved; *& *The challenge is to proactively ensure proportionate growth in Asian representation as law enforcers, educators, and law makers in the USA. *
*I believe, recruiting Asian-Americans is vital to the department’s legitimacy. Our authority and power has to come from the community. It can’t be imposed from outside. Legitimacy is enhanced if the force reflects the community. *Compared to the 43% (Asian alone) or 46%, according to police officials, only three (3)percent of the sworn officers identify themselves as “Asian/Pacific Islander. ” *YOU HAVE THE POWER WHEN YOU HAVE IT *
*Opportunity to recruit as many Asians is there, but it appears to be a very difficult task if not impossible. *WHY? *One major roadblock is that law enforcement is not seen as a prestigious career choice. We have people amongst us who can remember grandparents and significant people in our lives whose choice of a profession is to become a lawyer, an engineer, or a doctor. *
*Besides such numbers, in the 1980 s, Asian communities often wouldn't call the police, and instead tried to address issues on their own. *That, fortunately, is changing, and these days they’re calling the police asking advice or assistance. *
*Organizations like Raksah/Raksha, . (or Rokkhah, as I know it) meaning “protection” in several South Asian languages, is a Georgiabased nonprofit organization for the South Asian Community *This particular community includes people from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Raksha strives to be a source of support for all South Asians who may need a helping hand. Such a hand is extremely important in making much needed support for the victims. *
*Most of the “American cop movies” are also depicted as dangerous. Obviously as parents, some of us think it’s very dangerous, and don’t want our kids to become law enforcers. *Recruiting by example can only come from the numbers. With more presence our effort to personally touch our residents will eventually pay off, but it may take time. *Eventually we will have second and third generation families tell their children it’s okay to work as a law enforcer, to be part of and be able to give back to our society of choice, and that’s good for our Asian American community as a whole. *
*As the number of Asian immigrants swell in many U. S. cities, courts, corrections, & police departments are struggling to recruit the Asian. American officers needed to adequately serve their own communities. *
*In conclusion, everybody does not have to be an enforcer, such as a police, correctional, or an officer of the court. Nevertheless, one ought to be aware of the law, not necessarily as a lawyer, legal assistant or paralegal, but contribute to the civic advancement and cultural evolvement of the Asian American communities. *The “invisible” group members themselves also need to be proactive. They can and ought to become a part of law-making and enforcing the law. *
*Such contributions and desired achievements can be materialized! *That can happen more rapidly when Asian Americans are able to realistically examine themselves and the roles they play in their professions and their own communities. <The End!!!> *
* U. S. Census Bureau, 2010 Census Brief - Overview of Race and Hispanic Origin <http: //www. census. gov/prod/cen 2010/briefs/c 2010 br 02. pdf> * Source: U. S. Census Bureau, 2010 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94 -171) Summary File, Custom Table 3, <http: //2010. census. gov/news/press-kits/redistricting. html> * Source: U. S. Census Bureau, 2010 American Community Survey, Table B 24010 D, <http: //factfinder 2. census. gov/bkmk/table/1. 0/en/ACS/10_ 1 YR/B 24010 D> * * *
*Questions ? *
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