SEATTLE — A new study shows an alarming trend about how people across the country view Asian Americans.

The Asian American Foundation is a nonprofit group focused on combating anti-Asian hate and serving Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. The organization just released its findings from its annual survey on how Americans perceive Asian Americans.

“Seeing the result from the survey was upsetting. But was not surprising,” said Han Eckelberg. “Why is it Asian? Why is it Middle Eastern, why is it African, why is it just black and brown skinned folks. How come we always have to prove our Americanness,” said Eckelberg.

Eckelberg is a long-time member of Mak Fai Kung Fu, a Seattle group established in 1974 that specializes in traditional Chinese lion and dragon dance performances and offers traditional Kung Fu lessons. He’s proud to be a Chinese and German American.

But he’s still grappling with the results of the survey that involved nearly 5,000 people aged 16 and older across the country. Participants filled out the survey in January and February.

“It feels horrible,” said Eckelberg “I’m Chinese American and knowing that myself, my friends, my family, my community down here – we are not a threat.”

An academic advisory committee consisting of professors from prestigious universities like Harvard and Columbia oversaw the study.

The results reveal a lot regarding the perception of Asian Americans in the U.S., including three key findings:

• 40% of Americans think Asian Americans are more loyal to their country of origin than the U.S. That’s double of what it was in 2021.
• More than a quarter of Americans are concerned that Chinese Americans are a threat to U.S society, especially when it comes to national security
• More than half of Americans don’t fully agree that the Japanese American incarceration was wrong.

“I think it revealed for at least for someone like me who’s been following this for a while that things have not changed,” said Connie So, a University of Washington American Ethnic Studies professor.  

So is Eckleberg’s mother. She believes there are several factors behind the survey results, including the rise in Asian hate during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and where the country is at economically. 

“A lot of it has to do with misinformation,” said So. “But also, nowdays, especially against Asia. It’s economic competition. I think in America it’s not what it used to be. A lot of countries are starting to do better, many of those countries have been in Asia.” 

Despite the survey’s findings, this Asian American family is optimistic moving forward and will continue being who they are proudly. 

“We cannot just not give up and we have to take greater ownership and really show this resilience that we’re very proud of our culture,” said Eckelberg.

KING 5 reached out to the Wing Luke Museum on its thoughts on the survey’s findings. Officials with the museum sent KING 5 a statement, saying in part:

“Through our significant contributions, from business and science, to arts and culture, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities have a rich history here. The findings from this survey pique our interest and reinforce our commitment to serving our mission of educating communities about the fascinating history, cultures, and art of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders.”