AAPI Organizer Spotlight: AAPI Democratic Caucus of Southern Nevada

AAPI involvement in the 2020 election has increased impressively. Apart from taking on roles in Presidential campaigns or running for office themselves, AAPIs are organizing in their communities to ensure a high voter turnout in the election of our lifetime. We’re highlighting the amazing work that AAPI organizers are doing around the country. This week, on our spotlight is the AAPI Democratic Caucus of Southern Nevada (AAPIDC).

Meet AAPIDC

The Asian American & Pacific Islander Democratic Caucus of Southern Nevada was founded in 2008. The executive board is made up of leaders working in various sectors, including education, law, and government. The organizers are passionate about mobilizing the AANHPI community to engage in progressive politics, connecting the nuances of our identity and history to the party’s mission. 

We asked the group about their experience organizing.

As an organizer, how have you been gearing up for 2020? 

The AANHPI community is the fastest growing demographic in Nevada, and AAPIDC has worked tirelessly to ensure that our community has a seat at the table. Public officials recognize that our community can make up the margin of victory in the 2020 elections and beyond. In the leadup to the February Nevada Caucus, our organization partnered with Nevada State Democratic Party to host a Kamayan (a traditional Filipino meal that you eat with your hands) Caucus Training, which celebrated Filipino American History Month and brought out dozens of new caucus-goers to learn about the process. We built on the community’s response to create another Delicious Mock Caucus event just a month before the NV Caucus, walking through the process using different types of Asian snacks rather than using candidates. And during the day of the caucus, our members served as site leads, precinct chairs, and volunteers throughout the state.

Outside of political training, we also recognize the intersectionality of our various identities and the importance of rooting our contemporary activism in an understanding of our community’s history. In this era of xenophobia and mass deportation, we called on our community to take a stand and provided a space for members to explore the history of such sentiments, which have been plaguing our community for decades. We partnered with Asian American studies professors Constancio Arnaldo and Mark Padoongpaat of University of Nevada, Las Vegas to facilitate a dialogue among our members.

Why is it important that AANHPIs get involved in the 2020 elections and Census? 

Discussions around policy and government often omit AANHPI narratives. Despite our rich diversity, our community is often viewed as a monolith and model minority stereotypes are perpetuated by those who don’t understand the issues our community faces.

As the fastest growing demographic in Nevada, AANHPIs need to hold our representatives accountable. Our elected officials need to work to create collaborative and diverse communities, which provide access to a quality education, affordable health care, and humane immigration policies.

AANHPIs also need to understand the importance of the Census in garnering resources for our districts. We need to be counted to ensure that our community gains access to funding for schools, hospitals, roads, and other vital programs. To gain representation and visibility, AANHPIs need to be at the forefront of these movements. AAPIDC understands the power and influence of grassroots organizing in maximizing voter turnout and census counts.