Podcast Summary: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show Episode: The Karol Markowicz Show: Not Outsiders: The Asian American Experience with Helen Raleigh
Release Date: June 20, 2025

Introduction

In this insightful episode of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show, host Carol Markowitz engages in a profound conversation with Helen Raleigh, an immigrant from communist China and the author of Not Outsiders: Asian Americans Political Activism from the 19th Century to Today. Raleigh delves into the historical and contemporary landscape of Asian American political activism, challenging prevalent misconceptions and highlighting the community's significant contributions to American society.

The Need for Not Outsiders

Carol Markowitz opens the discussion by questioning why Asian Americans are often perceived as outsiders, prompting Raleigh to explain the impetus behind her book.

Helen Raleigh [02:54]: "If you look at the surveys, a lot of Asian Americans continue to feel this perpetual bias treating Asian Americans as outsiders... So, this political environment that I feel compelled to write this book."

Raleigh emphasizes that labels like "white adjacent" diminish Asian Americans' rich history and agency, asserting that their success is often mistakenly attributed to assimilating into white norms.

Historical Context of Asian American Activism

Raleigh outlines the three waves of Asian American political activism chronicled in her book:

1. First Wave (1850 – Pre-World War II):
   Focused on combating systemic discrimination, notably the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act, which barred Chinese immigrants from naturalization.

   Helen Raleigh [05:23]: "Most political activities activism was focusing on opposing those discriminatory immigration laws."

2. Second Wave (World War II – Early 1990s):
   Addressed challenges such as Japanese American internment, discrimination against Korean Americans, and high-profile cases like the murder of Vincent Chin.

   Helen Raleigh [05:23]: "This covered the struggle of Japanese Americans, the internment as well as later on the LA riots..."

3. Third Wave (1990s – Present):
   Engages with contemporary issues like the lawsuit against Harvard's admissions policies and efforts to reinstate affirmative action through multi-ethnic coalitions.

   Helen Raleigh [07:23]: "Asian Americans led a multi-ethnic coalition to push back ballot initiatives, try to bring back affirmative actions."

Contemporary Political Activism and Education

The conversation shifts to the current phase of activism, particularly within educational institutions and the corporate sector.

Helen Raleigh [07:58]: "Education has been our only way to realize our American dream, to climb the economic ladder... that's why it is so important for Asian Americans to have a fair education system."

Raleigh discusses the ongoing battle against the "Asian penalty" in college admissions and highlights victories such as the Supreme Court ruling against Harvard's race-based admissions.

Helen Raleigh [10:32]: "The Supreme Court ruled against Harvard, basically deemed Harvard race-based college admission unconstitutional."

She also notes shifts in corporate hiring practices, where some companies are retracting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, reflecting broader societal changes.

Personal Journey and Motivation

Raleigh shares her personal story of immigration from communist China, driven by a desire for freedom and better opportunities. Her experiences under an authoritarian regime instilled in her a profound appreciation for Western ideals.

Helen Raleigh [16:16]: "I decided I want to go to a place where I get to decide how I want to live my life... those basic ideas from those early days drove me to want to come to America."

This personal narrative underscores her commitment to advocating for policies that protect and advance the rights and opportunities of Asian Americans.

Successes and Challenges in Activism

The dialogue explores the successes in Asian American activism, including legal victories and increased political engagement.

Helen Raleigh [11:21]: "In Harvard's particular case, they still do it in a very sneaky way... I definitely see changes in other areas too."

Raleigh expresses optimism about the growing political influence of Asian Americans, particularly in key electoral states.

Helen Raleigh [12:23]: "I am definitely optimistic... I see there's a political shift among the Asian American populations."

Advice and Life Lessons

Towards the end of the interview, Raleigh offers personal advice, reflecting on her experiences and losses.

Helen Raleigh [22:50]: "If you believe it's the right thing to do, don't wait too long to do it... There's no perfect timing for the things you want to do."

She emphasizes the importance of prioritizing meaningful relationships and being present with loved ones.

Helen Raleigh [25:39]: "Be generous with your time and attention with the people and things that you consider that worth it."

Conclusion

Carol Markowitz concludes the episode by applauding Raleigh's contributions and promoting her book.

Carol Markowitz [27:37]: "She is Helen Raleigh. Her book is Not Outsiders, Asian Americans, Political activism from the 19th century to today. Buy it anywhere."

Helen Raleigh's Not Outsiders serves as a crucial narrative that not only highlights the resilience and activism of Asian Americans but also seeks to dismantle the lingering stereotypes that marginalize this vibrant community.

Notable Quotes:

• Helen Raleigh [03:05]: "We haven't made any contribution to the civil rights movement. We're just writing a cocktail of other people's other groups' achievements."

• Helen Raleigh [16:25]: "Those basic ideas from those early days drove me to want to come to America, to live a different kind of life."

• Helen Raleigh [22:50]: "If you believe it's the right thing to do, don't wait too long to do it."

• Helen Raleigh [25:39]: "Be generous with your time and attention with the people and things that you consider that worth it."

This episode offers a comprehensive exploration of Asian American political activism, enriched by Helen Raleigh's personal experiences and scholarly insights. It serves as an essential listen for those interested in understanding the multifaceted contributions of Asian Americans to the social and political fabric of the United States.