Asian Pacific American Media Task Force

Posted July 18, 2009

Asian Pacific American Media Task Force

Mission Statement:
To enlighten the entertainment and news industries, as well as the general public, as to the exclusion, under-representation and inaccurate portrayals of Asian Pacific Americans, and to produce meaningful initiatives to ensure equal rights and access for Asian Pacific Americans in the entertainment and news media.

Goals and Objectives (at this time):

To commission a comprehensive study to examine the disparity between the reality of the Asian Pacific American, and South Asian communities in the United States, and their portrayal and employment in the entertainment and news industries.
To create a broad, working coalition that includes labor and advocacy groups.
To create a system of outreach and reporting whereby Task Force members and coalition partners, as well as AFTRA members-at-large, can communicate with each other, monitor casting practices and exchange ideas on enacting change that further the Mission Statement.

The Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) has agreed to explore a working partnership with the Asian Pacific American Media Task Force (APAMTF).

The facts...

Asians
14.0 million
The estimated number of U.S. residents in July 2004 who said they were Asian or Asian in combination with one or more other races, comprising 5% of the total population. California had both the largest population (4.8 million) and the largest numerical increase (123,000) of people of this group since July 2003; Hawaii is the state where Asians made up the highest proportion of the total population (58%). 8.7 million U.S. residents were born in Asia, comprising one-fourth of the nation’s total foreign-born population.

3.4%….Growth of the APA population between 2003 and 2004, the highest of any race group during that time period.

26%…People on July 1, 2004 identifying themselves as either Asian or Asian in combination with one or more other races who are under 18; 8% are 65 or older.

$57,518…Median household income for APA’s in 2004, the highest among all race groups.

49%…Asians, age 25 or older, who have a bachelor’s degree or higher level of education. Asians have the highest proportion of college graduates of any race or ethnic group in the country. 87% of those 25 or older are high school graduates. 20% have an advanced degree (e.g., Master’s, Ph.D., M.D. or J.D.).

33.4 million…Projected number of U.S. residents in 2050 who will identify themselves as Asians. They would comprise 8% of the total population by that year. This would signify a 213% projected increase between 2000 and 2050, compared with a 49% increase in the population as a whole over the same period.

Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders
976,400
Estimated number of U.S. residents in July 2004 who said they are native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander or native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander in combination with one or more other races, comprising 0.3% of the total population.

1.7%…Growth of the native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander population between 2003 and 2004, the highest of any race group except for Asians. California had the largest numerical increase of native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders (3,400) since July 2003.

$57,687…Median household income, averaged over 2002-2004.

32%…Those identifying themselves as either native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander or native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander in combination with one or more other races who are under 18; 6% are 65 or older.

15%…Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders, age 25 or older, who have at least a bachelor’s degree. 84% are high school graduates, and 4% have obtained a graduate degree.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau / Public Information Office

For more information, please contact:
Ray Bradford
National Director Equal Employment Opportunities
rbradfor@aftra.com
323.634.8298

Asian Pacific American Media Task Force

SAG-AFTRA Partners & Events

AFTRA FOUNDATION

Music Video Organizing

INDUSTRY DISCOUNTS

AFTRA H&R