The Pacific News Service and New California Media have released the results of a survey of Asian Americans in California, which found that California Asians disproportionately contributed to the tsunami relief efforts. As the article explains,

70 percent of Asian Californians have contributed to tsunami relief efforts, compared to 33 percent of all adult Americans across the country. . . Asian Californians account for about 1 percent of the U.S. population, yet were responsible for more than 15 percent of overall donations. According to the poll, an estimated $200 million has come from the California Asian population out of the $1.2 billion in nationwide donations. . .

According to the poll, only 8 percent of Asian Californians reported knowing someone directly impacted by the tsunami. Despite this, two out of three still donated to the relief effort. . . Asian Americans in the United States have historically split along cultural, linguistic and historical lines and identified solely with their countries of origin. But according to the poll, Asian immigrants -- who make up the bulk of the U.S. Asian population -- are becoming more comfortable with the all-inclusive Asian American label.

Indeed, it’s very common for inter-ethnic rivalries and historical traditions of conflict and suspicion to hinder efforts among Asian Americans to unite as one collective group. But as this survey shows, in times of crisis, Asian Americans are capable to putting aside their differences and to come together as a united community, whether it’s in the name of fighting for justice for Vincent Chin, responding to racist media stereotypes, or in this case, helping our Asian brothers and sisters in the tsunami relief efforts.

When we’re united as one community, we can accomplish amazing things.