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Tuesday September 3, 2002

Will the EEOC Lose Its Only Asian American Officer?

sarah siritaratiwat

For the greater portion of his life, Paul Igasaki has worked to raise awareness about Asian-American issues in the workplace. But now it looks as if his lifelong efforts may put to an abrupt end.

Igasaki has served as vice chair of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) for the past eight years and is the only Asian American in the department.

In June, however, President George W. Bush placed his re-appointment on hold over, leaving Igasaki in limbo about his future in the department. Last week, Igasaki officially stepped down from his position to await Bush's final decision. Although the recent groundswell of support from Asian-American organizations may persuade Bush to secure Igasaki's place at the EEOC, nothing is certain.

'Even if I am nominated, there is still uncertainty as to whether the White House will move me forward for confirmation,' Igasaki said. 'They would likely want some political deal with the Senate leadership to confirm me.'

After that, an 'intent to nominate' and ultimately a formal nomination must still be issued.

'Clearly after eight years of service, he is most qualified to do the job,' said Floyd Mori, national president of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL). 'The EEOC is fortunate to have someone of his credentials. We do not understand the White House's reluctance to put his name forward.'

As Vice Chair of the EEOC, Igasaki focused on a wide array of issues including racial and language discrimination, glass ceilings, sexual harassment, and the need for diversity in the workplace, with an emphasis on Asian-American issues.

'People have a tendency to assume that Asians are technical and fail to see that they can be professional as well,' Igasaki said.

Despite the assumptions often made about Asian Americans in the workplace, Igasaki points out that it is also the responsibility of Asian Americans to protect their own rights.

'[Asian Americans] have a tendency to remain quiet in the workplace,' Igasaki said. 'There's a cultural value or influence not to complain. In appropriate cases, we need to learn how to complain.'

Igasaki first became interested in Asian-American issues when he was earning his bachelor's degree at Northwestern University. After graduating, Igasaki wasn't sure what field he wanted to go into, but knew he wanted to serve Asian communities. He decided to pursue a law degree at the University of California, Davis, intending to leverage his degree to support Asian-American and minority communities.

When Igasaki returned home to Chicago, he joined the effort to help elect Harold Washington, who became Chicago's first black mayor. This was an important period of his life, Igasaki said, as it marked his first clash with racism.

'I remember speaking to one of my neighbors, who was white and always seemed to be a liberal. Yet when I told him we were counting on his support, he told me he couldn't vote for a 'nigger mayor',' Igasaki said.

And that wasn't an isolated incident.

Once Washington was elected, Igasaki received fliers in his office suggesting that the police symbol would be replaced by a logo of a watermelon and BBQ ribs.

'I remember seeing people wearing a blank white button to indicate their racial political preference,' Igasaki said.

Rather than being discouraged, the experience strengthened Igasaki's resolve to help Asian communities as well as other minority communities including women, people with disabilities, and the economically disadvantaged. During his time working for Washington, Igasaki acted as the liason to Chicago's growing Asian community.

Igasaki's work ranges from positions at the American Bar Association in Chicago, the California Agricultural Labor Relations Board, and the JACL.

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