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Forum focus: Encouraging Asian Americans to vote

by HATTIE BROWN GARROW

The Virginian-Pilot 10/15/06

VIRGINIA BEACH - Jerry Ng wants more Asian Americans to exercise the freedom they earned when they became citizens of the United States. He voiced his concerns Saturday during his organization's 10 th annual legislative forum.

Ng, president of the Organization of Chinese Americans' Eastern Virginia chapter, and other members of the Asian American community gathered with political leaders and two Old Dominion University professors to discuss ways to encourage Asian American involvement in the electoral process.

The group of about 40 people expressed particular interest in engaging younger Asian Americans and first-generation immigrants.

Panelists at the two-hour forum, held at the Chinese Community Center, included state Del. Sal Iaquinto, R-Virginia Beach, and state Sen. Yvonne Miller, D-Norfolk.

An estimated 35,000 Asian Americans live in South Hampton Roads, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2005 American Community Survey.

Language barriers and the fear of possible consequences from voicing their opinion have deterred many Asian Americans from getting involved in politics, said Qiu Jin, an associate professor of history and director of the Institute of Asian Studies at ODU. Many from the Asian American community come from countries where citizens' opinions are not welcome, she said.

"They just need more help to overcome this fear and to understand the voting culture and voting process," Qiu said.

China native Jiuwang Li, 47, attended the event to learn more about the electoral process. A U.S. citizen of two years, Jiuwang plans to vote Nov. 7.

"This is my first chance, the midterm election, to use my right," said Jiuwang, of Virginia Beach. "I'm very excited."