PERSPECTIVE ON DIVERSITY : ‘Hop Sing’ Policy Blunts Promises : An Administration that seeks to look like America still puts Asian-Americans in the background.

I cringe when the mainstream media laud President Clinton’s diversity theme in the choice and selection of his Cabinet and staff. Unless Clinton is using an expurgated Southern edition of the American dictionary, his definition of diversity and mine simply do not jibe. In this country of increasingly disparate ethnic and cultural groups, diversity can no longer be viewed under the obsolete paradigm of black/white relations.

As sons of the New South, Clinton and Al Gore were perceived by many Asian-American baby boomers as hopeful leaders with a vision beyond the old politics of exclusion and de facto apartheid. Here we are, fully 7.5 million people, 3% of the national population, 10% of California, one-third of San Francisco, numerically bigger than Hong Kong, more than twice Singapore’s population and our representation in the new Clinton Administration is relegated to a few low-level aides.

Even though Rep. Norman Mineta of San Jose was said to have been approached about a possible Cabinet post and declined, I cannot believe that there are no other outstanding Asian-Americans being considered for sub-Cabinet and White House staff positions.

I call this the politics of “Hop Sing.” In the political arena, Asian-Americans will always be the backdrop, not quite fully American. Hop Sing was a character in “Bonanza,” the popular TV Western series of the 1950s and ‘60s. For more than 10 years, when I was a kid, I watched Victor Sen Yung play the role of Hop Sing, the cook and houseboy of the Cartwrights. He was the consummate Chinese sidekick, often seen in the background, but rarely heard. He was the yellow token of American television for more than a decade. If Hop Sing were alive today, he would probably be working for Zoe Baird.

Even though 53% of Asian-Americans voted for Bill Clinton according to exit polls (compared with 37% for George Bush and 9% for Ross Perot), Asian-Americans have nothing to look forward to in the Clinton Administration. At this rate, we will be no more than the Hop Sings. As we head toward the edge of the Pacific Century, with the phenomenal growth in the sociopolitical economies of the countries throughout Asia, Asian-Americans should not count on Bill Clinton to tap their talents and potential for leadership in America’s quest for renewal.

Clinton’s politics for change, inclusion and diversity will include women, blacks, Latinos and gays before it will embrace Asian-Americans and Native Americans. Look out for the Hop Sings of his Administration!

To my fellow Asian-Americans, I submit it is time for us to sit down and rethink our strategy for political empowerment. The George Wallaces and Lester Maddoxes of the Old South may be gone from the scene, but the Bill Clintons and Al Gores of the New South may not necessarily mean a net gain for Asian-Americans.

E Pluribus Unum (out of many, one), the motto of the United States, is meaningless unless Asian-Americans are fully integrated as equals at all levels of his Administration and incorporated in his bold vision for our country.