Earlier this year, Representative Tackey Chan of Quincyfiled H.3361, a bill that would require state agencies to collect data not onlyon the entire Asian population, but also to track and publicly report data forthe five largest Asian American and Pacific Islander groups in Massachusetts,which currently are Chinese, Vietnamese, Indian, Cambodian, and Korean.

Speaking as the executive director of the region’s largestsocial services provider for the Asian immigrant and Asian American community,I fully support this bill. This bill is also supported by a number of otherstate representatives from both the Democratic and Republican parties.

I believe having detailed data about our communities isimportant and allows us to improve our services and adjust our approach asneeded. Some challenges disproportionately impact the Chinese community,compared to other Asian groups; understanding and tracking them separately isbeneficial to our work. For example:

49% of Chinese residents of Boston are limited English proficient, compared with 42% of all Asians;

69% of Chinese adults in Boston have at least a high school diploma, which is lower than the rate for all Asians, as well as African-Americans and whites;

48% of Chinese in Boston are low-income, higher than the rate for all Asians,  as well as African-Americans and whites;

Chinese elderly women may have the highest rate of suicide ideation of all groups in the country; and

Chinese immigrants are the least likely group in the nation to seek help for problems.

Nationally and locally, the push for data disaggregation hasbeen led by Southeast Asian leaders in search of better data about theirgrowing communities. I stand firmly in support of our allies and partners inthe Southeast Asian community and this effort, and believe better data isbeneficial for all of our communities.

There has been opposition to this bill by some in theChinese community; they argue that detailed data about race and ethnicity canlead to discriminatory policies. I understand this perspective, but I disagree.Data alone never causes inequality; intolerant people and inaccessible systemsare to blame for discrimination. Data simply reflect the truth about inequityin our society.

Having a deeper understanding about existing inequality inour communities is the only way organizations like BCNC can develop strategiesto address it. I firmly support this bill, and strongly believe its passagewill be beneficial to BCNC and all of the families we serve.