At just 26 years old, Bruce Lou, a native of the San Francisco Bay Area, is making his mark as the Republican candidate for California’s 11th Congressional District in the upcoming elections. Lou is vying to succeed Nancy Pelosi and aims to be the voice of San Francisco in Congress. He underscores the importance of the city’s significant Asian population, which makes up around 40% of its residents, many of whom are Chinese. “The Chinese community has played a crucial role in San Francisco’s history since its founding,” Lou remarks. “However, I’m not here just to represent the Chinese; I represent all San Franciscans.”
Asian immigration to the United States has a history spanning over 200 years. Yet, a recent report from the Pew Research Center highlights a troubling statistic: 78% of Asian Americans often feel treated like “foreigners.” Many have faced taunts telling them to “go back to their country,” or have been mocked for mispronouncing their names. Lou believes that winning this election would be a major step forward for Asian Americans.
On the critical issue of discrimination against Asian Americans, Lou points to a broader disregard for this community’s needs by those in power. “We’re focusing on two key issues: the safety of our community and equitable college admissions. Unfortunately, these concerns often go ignored by lawmakers,” he says.
The rise in anti-Asian hate crimes is particularly alarming. According to the California Department of Justice, reported hate crimes against Asians surged from 89 incidents in the year before the pandemic to 247 in 2021. Even in 2022, after the pandemic, there were still 140 cases.
Lou emphasizes that the U.S. has not effectively addressed the issue of anti-Asian hate crimes, with many offenders escaping legal consequences. “I firmly believe we need a legislative solution to ensure that those who commit hate crimes are held accountable and face appropriate penalties,” he asserts.
When it comes to college admissions, data from the National Bureau of Economic Research reveals that Asian students encounter a 28% lower admission rate than their white peers with similar academic profiles. For South Asian students, that rate drops by 49%, while East Asian and Southeast Asian students experience a 17% difference.
He recalls last year’s lawsuit against Harvard, where plaintiffs argued that the university discriminated against Asian American applicants. This case ultimately culminated in a Supreme Court ruling that declared race cannot be considered in college admissions.
Lou expresses concern that defining Americans by race creates division. “We are all Americans, and we have more in common than we think. National interest should take precedence over racial interests,” he states, reflecting Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision: “I have a dream that my children will be judged by their character, not the color of their skin.”
Addressing discrimination against Chinese Americans tied to the coronavirus, Lou calls the situation absurd. “It’s unreasonable to blame Chinese Americans for the virus’s origins. They shouldn’t have to prove they are distinct from China,” he comments.
Ultimately, Lou views his candidacy as a means to amplify the concerns of his constituents. “I want to bring a fresh, youthful perspective to represent the people of San Francisco,” he concludes.
