The primary elections held last Tuesday brought Asian Americans in the forefront of New York City politics. If victorious in the upcoming general elections, there would be milestones in the city’s history.1
First of all, there’s John Liu who is running for city comptroller; he would be the first Asian American to hold a citywide office if wins the runoff and the general elections. Then, there are the Asian American candidates winning the Democratic primaries for city council. If they win the general elections, the city would have the first Korean American council member (Kevin Kim), the first Asian American to represent Chinatown (Margaret Chin), and there would be an additional Asian American council member (with Yen Chou also winning).
It’s about time! Back in 1989 minority groups became the majority of the city’s population, only nine members of the council were African Americans or Hispanics—and no Asian Americans! Following last Tuesday’s primaries, Hispanics, African and Asian Americans may very well consist a majority of the new city council, reflecting more closely the real face of the city’s diverse and vibrant population.2
1Shazia Khan, “Asian-Americans Win Historic City Primaries”, NY1, Sept. 17, 2009
2Sam Robert, “In Council, Minorities on Edge of Majority”, New York Times, September 18, 2009
First of all, there’s John Liu who is running for city comptroller; he would be the first Asian American to hold a citywide office if wins the runoff and the general elections. Then, there are the Asian American candidates winning the Democratic primaries for city council. If they win the general elections, the city would have the first Korean American council member (Kevin Kim), the first Asian American to represent Chinatown (Margaret Chin), and there would be an additional Asian American council member (with Yen Chou also winning).
It’s about time! Back in 1989 minority groups became the majority of the city’s population, only nine members of the council were African Americans or Hispanics—and no Asian Americans! Following last Tuesday’s primaries, Hispanics, African and Asian Americans may very well consist a majority of the new city council, reflecting more closely the real face of the city’s diverse and vibrant population.2
1Shazia Khan, “Asian-Americans Win Historic City Primaries”, NY1, Sept. 17, 2009
2Sam Robert, “In Council, Minorities on Edge of Majority”, New York Times, September 18, 2009
Comments