Microsoft and Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California partner to launch the Asian Resource Hub
August 8, 2024
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, violence and hate incidents against the Asian American community surged in the US, with many Asian Americans facing discrimination, harassment, and threats. Many incidents go unreported due to cultural stigmas, language barriers, fear of deportation, and shame.
In response, Microsoft and Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL) initiated a three-year project in 2021 to raise awareness and understanding of API hate incidents. Using publicly available data, they identified patterns and gaps to help community and government organizations address the issue collectively.
The project culminated in the launch of the Asian Resource Hub in February 2024. This digital platform consolidates data on API hate incidents from multiple sources, providing a better view of the problem. The hub features a dashboard for visualizing incident data, maps showing incident locations and resource centers, and tools for reporting incidents and seeking assistance. It is available in multiple languages to ensure accessibility and follows open data principles to promote transparency and collaboration among stakeholders.
Key insights from the hub
- Policy Gaps: Seventeen states, including Colorado and North Carolina, lack laws requiring hate crime data collection. These states have seen a significant AAPI population growth, underscoring the need for stronger protections.
- Resource Needs: The Midwest, historically underserved, saw an average AAPI population growth of 56%, with North Dakota experiencing a 108% increase. This highlights the need for more resources in these areas.
- Data Discrepancies: Between 2019 and 2021, the FBI reported nearly 1,500 anti-Asian hate crimes, but community trackers like Stand Against Hatred and Stop AAPI Hate recorded over 10,000 incidents. This discrepancy underscores the importance of using multiple data sources for a complete understanding.
Demonstrating that greater access to data enables social change
Equitable access to data is crucial for driving social change. When data is open and available to all, it empowers communities, policymakers, and organizations to make informed decisions and address pressing issues effectively.
- Open data promotes transparency and holds entities accountable. By making data accessible, communities can scrutinize actions, track progress, and hold governments and organizations responsible for their commitments. For example, the lack of laws requiring hate crime data collection in seventeen states was highlighted through data analysis, emphasizing the need for legislative changes to protect vulnerable populations.
- Access to data empowers marginalized communities by providing them with the tools to advocate for their rights. Community organizations can leverage data to highlight issues, rally support, and push for necessary changes. The significant discrepancy between FBI reports and community tracker data on anti-Asian hate incidents demonstrates the importance of multiple data sources in capturing the full scope of the problem.
- Open data fosters collaboration among stakeholders. When data is shared, different organizations can work together to address common challenges. The Asian Resource Hub exemplifies this by consolidating data from multiple sources, facilitating a coordinated response to API hate incidents.
- Data-driven insights are essential for effective resource distribution. By analyzing data, organizations can identify underserved areas and allocate resources where they are most needed. The Asian Resource Hub revealed significant AAPI population growth in the Midwest, guiding efforts to channel resources to these communities.
The Asian Resource Hub is a testament to how open and equitable access to data can drive social change. By providing a comprehensive view of API hate incidents, it enables stakeholders to understand the issue deeply, advocate for necessary policies, and implement targeted solutions. This approach not only combats hate but also promotes inclusivity and social justice.
Visit the Asian Resource Hub to explore the data, gain insights, and join the movement to promote equity and combat hate.