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VIDEO: ‘Asian Americans can determine the future of our state,’ lawmakers say

By Michael McElroy

May 17, 2024

North Carolina’s Asian-American lawmakers, all of whom are Democrats, gathered last week to commemorate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. NC Sen. Jay Chaudhuri, the first Asian American to serve in the General Assembly, said that Asian Americans are the fastest growing demographic both nationally and in North Carolina.

“We are a small but powerful block,” Chaudhuri said. “We can be the margin of victory for years to come.”

Chaudhuri was joined by NC Reps. Ya Liu and Maria Cervania, the first Asian American women to serve in the legislature, and Sen. Mujtaba Mohammed.

While discrimination remains a problem, even in the state house, Cervania said, AAPI voters have shown their growing power and influence at the ballot box.

“We cannot lose our hope,” Cervania said. “We have a powerful voice and we’re not going to allow anyone to let us think otherwise. We need to be that squeaky wheel showing up and say, we are here and we deserve to be recognized.”

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Author

  • Michael McElroy

    Michael McElroy is Cardinal & Pine's political correspondent. He is an adjunct instructor at UNC-Chapel Hill's Hussman School of Journalism and Media, and a former editor at The New York Times.

CATEGORIES: POLITICS VIDEO

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