Contact: Katie Moy Mostris, [email protected]
APALA Supports Rep. Judy Chu Against Racist Disloyalty Attacks by Rep. Lance Gooden
Washington D.C.- The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO, condemns the racist statements by Republican Congressman Lance Gooden directed against Congresswoman Judy Chu. We furthermore call on House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to censure Lance Gooden for his racist fear mongering, and to rein in Republican members of Congress for inciting anti-Asian hate and violence.
Congresswoman Judy Chu is the first Chinese American woman to serve in the House of Representatives. She was first elected in 2009, and has an outstanding record as a public servant. She previously served in the California State Assembly, the California State Board of Equalization, and as Mayor of Monterey Park, California. She is well respected nationally as an advocate for Social Security, Medicare, public education, the environment, women’s rights, and civil and human rights.
Congresswoman Chu defended the nomination of Dominic Ng, who was appointed by President Biden to represent U.S. trade interests in the Asia Pacific region. Dominic Ng, the CEO of East West bank, was attacked and red-baited by Congressman Lance Gooden, who also questioned Congresswoman Chu’s loyalty to the United States. If there is anyone who has proven his disloyalty, it is Congressman Gooden for denying the legitimate results of the 2020 Presidential election, and for shamefully perpetuating the big lie to the U.S. people.
The hateful actions of Congressman Gooden and other leaders of the Republican Party hinge on the “perpetual foreigner” stereotype and have directly contributed to the sharp rise in anti-Asian hate and anti-Asian violence throughout the United States. The “perpetual foreigner” stereotype casts Asian Americans as fundamentally foreign individuals who will never fully assimilate into American society and therefore whose loyalties must be questioned. Similarly, the State of Texas has recently introduced legislation based on this stereotype, banning Chinese nationals from purchasing property in the state, reminiscent of provisions of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882.
The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO, represents Asian American and Pacific Islander workers and union members throughout the United States. We sharply condemn the rise in anti-Asian hate and violence, and the words and actions of officials such as Congressman Gooden for contributing to racism and bigotry.
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Founded in 1992, the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA), AFL-CIO, is the first and only national organization of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) workers, most of whom are union members and our allies, building power for AAPI workers and communities.