Is the Past Prologue? Insights into AsAm Political Participation from the 2020 Election | Jerry Park

Dr. Jerry Park’s presentation examines Asian American political views through the lens of religion and White Christian Nationalism (WCN). His findings reveal that Asian American conservative Protestants show moderate support for WCN, which influenced their preference for Trump in the 2020 election. However, WCN support is not limited to conservative Christians, as Asian American Muslims, atheists, and agnostics also display varying levels. Park argues that religious affiliation, beyond ethnicity, is a significant predictor of Asian American political behavior, underscoring the need for more nuanced data collection to capture ideological diversity.

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Lecture description: With the 2024 election just ahead, record numbers of Asian Americans are registering to participate in this very close election. What insights can we glean, especially with regard to the role of religion, from Asian Americans political participation in 2020? We will examine voting preferences, white Christian nationalism attitudes and other social issues that do not receive much attention in the American mainstream media.