Chinese for Affirmative Action (CAA) is a San Francisco–based advocacy organization. Founded in 1969, its initial goals were equality of access to employment and the creation of job opportunities for Chinese Americans. The group broadened its mission in the subsequent decades.[1] As of 2007, its stated mission is "to defend and promote the civil and political rights of Chinese and Asian Americans within the context of, and in the interest of, advancing multiracial democracy in the United States".[2]
In 1978, CAA successfully advocated that the United States Census break down the single "Asian" category on the questionnaire into multiple distinct groups, to help better understand the Asian American population. In 1999, CAA helped advocate increased outreach in undercounted communities for the 2000 Census.[1]
From 1982 onwards, CAA was involved in the national campaign on behalf of Chinese-American hate crime victim Vincent Chin.[4]
In 2000, CAA helped organize a national coalition in support of Taiwanese-American scientist Wen Ho Lee.[1][5]
In 2019, via their Chinese Digital Engagement program, the CAA started a fact-checking website called PiYaoBa to help combat media misinformation that targets Chinese American communities.[8]
Funding
In 2016, about half CAA's funding came from contracts, and the remainder from gifts and grants.[9]