Overlooked No More: How Asian Texans Shape The State

Texas Standard
09/07/2020

As the COVID-19 pandemic spread through the country, Asian American businesses and communities had to endure attacks and questioning for a situation that was not of their making. By April 2020, Texas was the No. 3 state for hate incidents against Asian Americans, according to a survey by the groups Asian Pacific Policy & Planning Council and Chinese for Affirmative Actions. Incidents included the stabbing of a family while shopping at Sam's Club in Midland, TX.

These reports prompted conversations in our newsroom about identity and belonging. About 1.5 million Texans identify as Asian American. While that’s about 5% of the estate population, Asians are now the fastest-growing minority in the Lone Star State, expected to grow to nearly 6 million by 2050. We agreed that these numbers, frequently quoted in news reports, do not tell the rich story of Asian Texans nor the diversity of origins and cultures that is included within their communities. And the idea for a one-hour special was born.

As the 2020 Census came to a close, Texas Standard offered this modest showcase of the history and diversity of Asian Texan communities. This is, by no means, a comprehensive storytelling project, nor the last word about Asian Americans in Texas. Instead, we offer this collection of reported stories and interviews as a conversation starter about the rich and varied groups that make our state.

From tracking the origins of the Chinese Cemetery in El Paso, to the Filipino community's efforts to hold on to their traditions while looking for common ground with other Hispanic communities in the Rio Grande Valley and Diwali celebrations with a Texas accent, we brought to our audience a slice of life in communities around the state.

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Submitted by Laura Rice.