Petition Summary:

We are calling on the Margin of Victory Empowerment Fund (MOVENC PAC) to revise the language used in their 'Chinese Americans for Harris 2024' billboard located in Raleigh, NC. The message implies that the entire Chinese American community endorses a single candidate, which is misleading and risks perpetuating harmful stereotypes.

Our community, like any other, holds a variety of political opinions. This billboard not only misrepresents many Chinese Americans but also creates the perception among other communities that we are politically homogeneous. We respectfully request that the message be revised to reflect the diversity within our community and promote fairness, accuracy, and transparency in political discourse.

Full Statement:

In the lead-up to the 2024 election, a billboard in Raleigh, NC sponsored by the Margin of Victory Empowerment Fund (MOVENC PAC) declares: "Chinese Americans for Harris 2024." While the intention behind this campaign may be positive, the message creates unintended consequences for our community.

The language on the billboard implies that all Chinese Americans endorse Kamala Harris, which is not the case. Just as other communities hold a range of political beliefs, so do we. This messaging not only overlooks the diversity of views within our community but also reinforces harmful stereotypes—suggesting that we act as a monolithic group with uniform political alignment.

This can also mislead other communities into believing that Chinese Americans, as a whole, are aligned with one political candidate. Such narratives risk undermining open political dialogue and contribute to misunderstandings about our community’s complexity and individuality.

Our Request:
We respectfully urge the Margin of Victory Empowerment Fund to revise the messaging on their billboard. A more accurate phrase—such as "Supporters of Harris among Chinese Americans"—would express support without implying that all Chinese Americans align with the same candidate. This small adjustment would prevent misrepresentation, promote transparency, and respect the diversity of political opinions within our community.

Why This Matters:
Representation matters, and accurate representation is essential. Public messaging that fails to reflect the diversity of a community not only alienates individuals but also fosters stereotypes that are harmful in both social and political contexts. We believe that campaigns should strive to unite communities and encourage meaningful dialogue, not perpetuate division through oversimplification.

By signing this petition, we ask the Margin of Victory Empowerment Fund to acknowledge the plurality within the Chinese American community and ensure that all future public messages reflect this diversity.

Maria Lu

North Carolina