Narasaki Advocates Political Rights

Karen Narasaki, an influential national advocate for Asian Pacific American civil rights, spoke last night before a large audience in the main auditorium of Boylston Hall.

Narasaki, who is the executive director of the National Asian Pacific American Legal Consortium, emphasized the importance of maximizing the political influence of the Asian Pacific American community in order to protect Asian Americans from discriminatory policies.

The lecture, titled "The State of Asian Pacific America: Policy Issues Briefing," was organized by the Harvard-Radcliffe Asian American Association.

Discussing the issues she deals with on a daily basis as a national advocate for Asian civil rights, Narasaki addressed perceptions of Asian Pacific American identity, which she described as "this issue of whether we're really American or perpetually foreign."

Narasaki emphasized that discrimination against Asian Pacific Americans can exist on multiple levels ranging from hate crimes to doubts about national loyalties and "Americanism."

She also expressed concern that federal and local efforts to make English the exclusive official language of the United States are another subtle form of discrimination.

She said proposals to abolish the use of foreign languages in government documents and offices would cut many immigrants off from needed services.

Citing various difficulties which immigrants face in their efforts to learn English, including a shortage of accessible English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, Narasaki said, "These proposals are particularly confusing when you consider the [two-year backlog] for federal ESL courses."

Narasaki also spoke of the difficulties immigrants face in their efforts to become American citizens and said recent limitations of the rights of resident aliens may place immigrants in a vulnerable position.

Raising concerns about the 2000 Census, Narasaki said Asian Pacific Americans are disproportionately undercounted and proposals to exclude non-citizens from the census may threaten the Asian Pacific Americans' access to government funding.

Turning away from specific issues of policy in her conclusion, Narasaki urged the Asian Pacific American students in the audience not to forget their community as they move on to hopefully find success after college.

"I hope you will remember to reach back. I hope you will find a way to somehow to participate [in the community]," she said.

She also encouraged Asian American students in the audience to take up a career in law. "[As Asian American lawyers], you're privileged, you're the bridge to our community."

Students attending the lecture gave Narasaki positive reviews.

Stephanie N. Ajudua '00 said, "As much as I've heard of discrimination against Asian Americans, it always makes it more real to hear it in such human terms."

Jessica A. Bowen '00 said Narasaki's speech gave her new insight into discrimination against Asian Pacific Americans.

"It definitely reminded me that we are privileged to have that perspective available us," she said.

Narasaki also holds positions on the Executive Committee of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights and the National Network against Anti-Asian Violence.