More on Sheriff Joe

A few weeks ago, I participated in a press conference on behalf of the Asian Pacific Community in Action, a Phoenix-based non-profit health services and advocacy organization. We were one of several Asian American agencies and individuals calling for the resignation of Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Since then, I have received several emails, letters and phone calls inquiring as to what Sheriff Joe has done to members of the Asian American community to deserve a call for his resignation.

My answer is not a simple one. In fact, it is as steeped in history as it is in recent events. Asian Americans have a long history of not being welcome in this country. Beginning with the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act, significant barriers have been placed upon Asian immigration. In 1924, the National Origins Act essentially closed the doors to immigration from Asian nations. This door was not substantially re-opened until the Immigration Act of 1965.

Obviously, Sheriff Joe Arpaio had nothing to do with historical American policy regarding Asian immigration, and I am not directly aware of discriminatory treatment of Asian Americans at the hand of the Sheriff’s Office. However, I would argue that his racial profiling of the Hispanic community is a salient issue for the Asian American community. As Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” With a majority of Asian Americans being foreign born, it is possible that we could be the future target of “crime suppression” sweeps.

Asian Americans have come a long way in the past 100 years of Arizona statehood. Indeed, we are now the fastest growing racial/ethnic group in Arizona, and the vast majority of us are extremely proud to be Arizona residents. However, until we all can live without fear of unlawful discrimination and racial profiling, I believe we are obligated to speak out. As Martin Luther King, Jr. also said, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” It is time for change: Sheriff Joe should go.

-Doug Hirano, MPH, APCA Executive Director