Nebraska now has a Commission on Asian American Affairs joining other commissions for racial and ethnic minority groups. Nebraska Public Media's Dale Johnson visited with Ryo Suzuki, chairman of the commission, about the newly-formed group.
Dale Johnson: Native Americans have been represented by a commission in Nebraska since 1971. Latinos since 1972 and African Americans since 2021 Ryo, why do you suppose it took so long for Asian Americans to be represented?
Ryo Suzuki: Understanding is that this has more historical context. What matters is that we are here. I think, you know, now we are here in 2024 with the full support from the legislature. They passed this bill unanimously, and the governor himself committed this support, setting that point we are here, but I think we are ready to go 120 miles an hour.
Johnson: How does having a commission benefit Asian Americans in Nebraska?
Suzuki: It's Nebraska, right? We are humble. We don't tell the story. We don't brag about who we are. We, you know, our success, but I think it's our job to help tell our story. And there's a lot of untold stories. I mean, there's a Japanese hole in Scottsbluff that has a historical context there, right, not many people may know about. I think having this commission speak on behalf of the Asian population and growing population in Nebraska, I think that's what helps these things.
Johnson: Ryo, take us into the world of Asian Americans here in Nebraska. Is it a growing culture in the state, and what are some of the priority problems that need to be addressed?
Suzuki: You know, I came here to Nebraska 2012 and, you know, it's different right now. I think I see more Asia-make, I'm more around it in Lincoln, more than Kearney. But I think having a universal Nebraska system recruiting students from all over the world, the university system does that same. I think that helps bring each culture to the campus.
Johnson: The Asian American Commission comes at a time when the University of Nebraska is closing its Office of Diversity and Inclusion, and Iowa's legislature recently cut its commissions for underrepresented communities. Talk about the times in which we live better in some respects, for Asian Americans and for cultural groups in general. Yet it could be argued that minority groups are losing traction. What are your thoughts?
Suzuki: I think having dialog is one key. I think, you know, if you think about our top export market of Nebraska is always, you know, Japan, China, South Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia, right? I mean, Asia has been a great trade partner for the state of Nebraska. And I think it speaks to it. And I think again, my point is, I think having open dialog how we can engage the experience and promote the good life of Nebraska. I think in these states, it doesn't matter where you come from, if you work hard, swing for the fences, anything is possible. You know, I came from Tokyo in 2012 and you know, I did not know anybody in this state, but 12 years later I'm having this conversation with you. It tells the story itself is this stage is a place for the people who want to work hard, and it doesn't matter where you're from. Having the open dialog is the one that keeps us going every day.
Johnson: What are the challenges that are unique to Asian Americans in Nebraska?
Suzuki: If you think about it, Asian culture is a pretty big, broad area, right? You know, it could be Japanese culture. It could be Indian culture. You know, instead of just making Asian culture, there's a different culture within Asian culture. And our commission has a diverse background. We have myself from Japan, you know, we have individuals who have background in India. You know, I think those are the key purpose of this commission as well, is that, yes, Asian culture is a huge part of a culture. And, you know, we talked about each individual culture in February and define culture and how we can engage this state experience.
Johnson: And that's very represented on the commission. There are members from Japan, China, Taiwan I believe, South Korea, Vietnam, and you are of Japanese descent. So just the makeup of the commission is an example.
Suzuki: I think that's why, I think one of the challenges, you know, and it's when we say Asian culture, it’s so broad.
Johnson: They're just getting started. the Commission on Asian American Affairs chair Ryo Suzuki joining me for the conversation. Ryo, thank you.
Suzuki: Thank you very much.
Johnson: I'm Dale Johnson Nebraska Public Media News.