"There is a very strong link between a group's political clout and the ability of its members to rise to the top," said Woo.
Woo was born in China and emmigrated to America at the age of 18. He holds a Ph.D. in physics from Washington University.
Woo described how Irish-Americans, Jewish-Americans, African-Americans and women overcame discrimination and gained political power by mobilizing as voting blocs.
Because Asian-Americans have traditionally split their vote between Republicans and Democrats, they have been denied protections afforded to other groups, Woo said.
"There is a glass ceiling hanging low over Asian-Americans," he said.
In order to cultivate an Asian-American bloc vote, Woo helped found 80-20. The name "80-20" refers to the voting distribution-80 percent in favor of one candidate, and the remaining 20 percent in favor of another-achieved by many community bloc votes.
Woo said that 80-20 helped create a 66 percent vote in favor of Gore from Asian-Americans in the last election, and he predicts an 80 percent Asian-American vote in the next presidential election.
"Why not deliver a swing bloc vote so you can get both parties to compete for our votes?" he said. "Who wins the election at the end of the day-that is the power of the bloc vote."
"Join us," Woo said in closing, "so that we can be equal partners in the American dream, so that we can fulfill the pledge you make so many times in your life-'with liberty and justice for all.' Stand up and be counted for you and your children."
The lecture was co-sponsored by the Amherst College Program Board and Asian Culture House in honor of Asian Heritage Month.
"The lecture was very insightful," said Phuc Pho '02. "He is a role model for Asian-Americans everywhere."