It was Henry Der, Chair of Chinese for Affirmative Action who took Connerly and Pete Wilson to task. As a parent, I do not want any of my three children to experience or choose a segregated college education. Pete Wilson's attempt to foment hostility between Asian American and African American communities has already backfired. Asian American support for affirmative action is growing. Throughout California's communities of color there is an awakened sense that an injury to one is an injury to all.
Ethnic backgrounds differ.
Income levels differ. Immigration histories are different. Two people as different as a millionaire Hong Kong businessman and a Vietnamese war orphan are lumped together under the Asian American rubric. The complexity of Asian American experience makes strong Asian American support for affirmative action all the more remarkable. Here are just a few samples of Asian American voices for affirmative action.