Asian Americans Should Pursue Presidential Appointments

Like many Americans, perhaps most of us, I am surprised by the election results — even if with hindsight everyone can claim they had a sense of populist discontent. Yet I began writing this essay before I had any idea who would win the White House, and it is important to be principled about our political process. Asian Americans should consider serving in appointed roles. Asian American civic engagement requires encouragement.

There are approximately 8000 public offices that each President is entitled to fill, distinct from the career civil service jobs within the federal government. They are listed in the so-called “Plum Book,” named for the color of its cover in the defunct era of printed material. These range from the Cabinet Secretaries, such as for Defense or Education, who advise the President on specific subjects and head an executive branch department to “Schedule C” Special Assistants who serve as staff to the Secretaries and others. The former typically are senior, some Governors themselves, and they are confirmed by the Senate. The latter can include recent college graduates, often who volunteered on the campaign. 

Asian Americans have been named to the highest levels of past administrations. There are Asian Americans who are qualified and would be interested. 

For example, Democrat Norman Mineta, a senior Congressman from San Jose, was Transportation Secretary in the Republican George W. Bush administration, part of the compromise resolving the dispute over the 2000 election. Following the 9/11 attacks, the Japanese American who had been interned during World War II played a crucial role in addressing infrastructure safety while avoiding racial profiling.

Although the Asian American demographic category, the fastest growing in the nation, supported Hillary Clinton to a greater extent than President Elect Donald Trump, there was no lack of visible, vocal Asian Americans who rallied for the winner. Their presence among his appointees, like that of other people of color, potentially could be much-needed bridge building to bring together a polarized population.

Asian Americans may not realize, however, what they must do to do to be tapped. The position may be appointed rather than elected, but individuals who understand the system, at least as it has worked traditionally, have campaigned for their desired slot. Policy wonks “inside the Beltway” spend years preparing for the opportunity. They have lined up influential legislators, party higher-ups, and donors. They appreciate that they have to show how they contributed to their candidate and his cause. 

Asian Americans though have a peculiar reticence. Others do, too, and it would be wrong to generalize on the basis of ethnic background. Yet even those who are assimilated display this trait that could be interpreted as hubris or humility. They expect that they will be noticed for their merits, saying expressly how would be unseemly to tout themselves. 

They should overcome this concern. Otherwise they will be passed over for those who would not hesitate. That’s fair. The inclination to take initiative is itself a factor that weighs heavily in picking personnel.

To help those who are ready, there are organized efforts underway. A new non-profit that advances Asian Americans, the Leaders Forum, has been drawing up lists behind-the-scenes for either contingency. They are pushing for Asian Americans who are credible. Their message is that our greatness is based on our diversity.

The most important aspect of our democracy is not choice, individual or collective. It is our ability to transition every four years. The exercise of power is easier than its transfer. 

The best government, if it is to be democratic anyway, is by design a representative government. All of us have to be willing to participate, no matter who we happened to have voted for. We should insist on inclusion.

This essay originally appeared at The Huffington Post.