ASIAN AMERICANS: GROWTH ASIAN AMERICANS: GROWTH AND DIVERSITYAND DIVERSITY

CHAPTER 12CHAPTER 12

Asian Americans and Pacific IslandersAsian Americans and Pacific Islanders

• Diverse group that is one of the fastest growing Diverse group that is one of the fastest growing segments of US populationsegments of US population

• Includes Chinese Americans and FilipinosIncludes Chinese Americans and Filipinos• Includes the Includes the HmongHmong that do not correspond to any that do not correspond to any

one nationone nation• See See “race and ethnicity”“race and ethnicity” in America framed as a in America framed as a

Black-White issueBlack-White issue– ““Tri-racial”Tri-racial”

• Hispanics that are now added to Black-White racial issueHispanics that are now added to Black-White racial issue

The “Model Minority” Image ExploredThe “Model Minority” Image Explored

• General image people in US hold of Asian General image people in US hold of Asian Americans as a groupAmericans as a group

• Despite prejudice and discrimination, Despite prejudice and discrimination, succeededsucceeded– Economically, socially, and educationally Economically, socially, and educationally

without political or violent confrontations with without political or violent confrontations with WhitesWhites

• Variation of blaming the victim – Variation of blaming the victim – “praising “praising the victim”the victim”

Education and the EconomyEducation and the Economy• Impressive school enrollment compared to the total Impressive school enrollment compared to the total

populationpopulation• 20042004

– 49.4% Asian Americans, 25 or older had Bachelor 49.4% Asian Americans, 25 or older had Bachelor degrees compares with 30.6% of Whitesdegrees compares with 30.6% of Whites

• Often viewed as successful overachievers, butOften viewed as successful overachievers, but– Have unrecognized and overlooked needsHave unrecognized and overlooked needs– Experience discomfort and harassment on campusExperience discomfort and harassment on campus– Under-represented on college campusesUnder-represented on college campuses– Experience stress and alienation on campusExperience stress and alienation on campus

• Asian Americans as group have more formal Asian Americans as group have more formal schooling than Whitesschooling than Whites

• Occupationally Asian Americans occupy mid-level Occupationally Asian Americans occupy mid-level occupations and are under-represented in top occupations and are under-represented in top management positions in corporate America management positions in corporate America

• Glass ceiling and glass wall impact on upward Glass ceiling and glass wall impact on upward mobilitymobility

• Do well in small family owned and operated Do well in small family owned and operated businessesbusinesses

• AgricultureAgriculture• Middlemen MinoritiesMiddlemen Minorities

– Occupy jobs within the middle of the occupational structure rather Occupy jobs within the middle of the occupational structure rather than the bottom where racial and ethnic minorities are typically than the bottom where racial and ethnic minorities are typically locatedlocated

• Another misleading sign of success is high income Another misleading sign of success is high income as a groupas a group– Approach parity with Whites because of greater Approach parity with Whites because of greater

achievement than Whites in formal schoolingachievement than Whites in formal schooling– Whites earn more than their Asian counterparts of the Whites earn more than their Asian counterparts of the

same agesame age– If education from overseas, they are devalued by US If education from overseas, they are devalued by US

employersemployers

• ““Model Minority”Model Minority” stereotype is a disservice stereotype is a disservice– Excludes Asians from social programs and conceals Excludes Asians from social programs and conceals

unemployment and other social illsunemployment and other social ills– Local governments are eliminating Asian Americans Local governments are eliminating Asian Americans

from the definition of minorityfrom the definition of minority

The Door Half OpenThe Door Half Open• Anti-Asian American feeling built on long cultural traditionAnti-Asian American feeling built on long cultural tradition• Yellow PerilYellow Peril

– Refers to the generalized prejudice toward Asian people and their customsRefers to the generalized prejudice toward Asian people and their customs

• Asian Americans are often stereotyped and ignored or Asian Americans are often stereotyped and ignored or described in negative ways in the mediadescribed in negative ways in the media– OvergeneralizationsOvergeneralizations– Ethnic slursEthnic slurs– Inflammatory reportingInflammatory reporting– Japan bashingJapan bashing– Media invisibilityMedia invisibility– Model minorityModel minority

• Subject to institutional discriminationSubject to institutional discrimination• Marginal status of Asian Pacific Islanders leaves Marginal status of Asian Pacific Islanders leaves

them vulnerable to selective and collective them vulnerable to selective and collective oppressionoppression– 1999 Wen Ho Lee1999 Wen Ho Lee

• Resulted in Asian Americans now viewed as security risksResulted in Asian Americans now viewed as security risks• 32% of feel that Chinese Americans more loyal to China than 32% of feel that Chinese Americans more loyal to China than

USUS– Asian Americans avoid top-secret science employment Asian Americans avoid top-secret science employment

because of subjection to racial profiling at high security because of subjection to racial profiling at high security levelslevels

• Young Asians in US struggle for identity because Young Asians in US struggle for identity because their heritage is devalued by those in positions of their heritage is devalued by those in positions of influenceinfluence

Political ActivityPolitical Activity• Politically Asian Americans tend to be less active Politically Asian Americans tend to be less active

than other subordinate groupsthan other subordinate groups• Function of Function of

– historical influenceshistorical influences– cultural influencescultural influences– demographic influencesdemographic influences

• Immigrants come from nations where political Immigrants come from nations where political participation was unheard from or looked upon participation was unheard from or looked upon with skepticism and sometimes fearwith skepticism and sometimes fear

• Six factors why Asian Americans not more active in Six factors why Asian Americans not more active in politicspolitics– Traits needed to become a candidate are alien to Chinese Traits needed to become a candidate are alien to Chinese

cultureculture– Older people remember blatant discrimination and tell Older people remember blatant discrimination and tell

others to be quiet and not attract attentionothers to be quiet and not attract attention– Recent immigrants have no experience with democracy Recent immigrants have no experience with democracy

and have distrust of governmentand have distrust of government– Concentration on getting ahead economically and Concentration on getting ahead economically and

education of their childreneducation of their children– Careers of the brightest are in business and science, not Careers of the brightest are in business and science, not

law or public administrationlaw or public administration– Asian American groups are dispersed and cannot control Asian American groups are dispersed and cannot control

election of even local candidateselection of even local candidates

Diversity Among Asian AmericansDiversity Among Asian Americans• Census Bureau enumerates 47 groupsCensus Bureau enumerates 47 groups• Diverse historically, culturally, politically, and Diverse historically, culturally, politically, and

economicallyeconomically• Asian IndiansAsian Indians

– Pattern of immigrationPattern of immigration• Between 1820 and 1965 approximately 17,000 cameBetween 1820 and 1965 approximately 17,000 came• Many came under the 1965 Immigration and Many came under the 1965 Immigration and

Naturalization ActNaturalization Act

– Tended to be better educated, urban and English Tended to be better educated, urban and English speakingspeaking

– Religious diversityReligious diversity• HinduHindu• SikhsSikhs• MuslimsMuslims• ZoroastriansZoroastrians

– Religious traditions remain strong among new Religious traditions remain strong among new arrivalsarrivals

– Concern about erosion of traditional family authorityConcern about erosion of traditional family authority• DesiDesi pronounced (“DAY-see”) pronounced (“DAY-see”)

– Colloquial name for people who trace their ancestry to South Asia, Colloquial name for people who trace their ancestry to South Asia, especially Indiaespecially India

• Arranged marriagesArranged marriages– Cultural conflicts between national traditions and Cultural conflicts between national traditions and

American cultureAmerican culture

• Filipino AmericansFilipino Americans– Third largest Asian American group in USThird largest Asian American group in US– Considered Asian because of geography, but physically Considered Asian because of geography, but physically

and culturally, reflect centuries of Spanish colonial rule and culturally, reflect centuries of Spanish colonial rule and recent colonial occupation of USand recent colonial occupation of US

– Immigration divided into four distinct periodsImmigration divided into four distinct periods• First group in the 1920’s; male and employed in agricultureFirst group in the 1920’s; male and employed in agriculture• Second group as contract workers in Hawaiian sugar cane Second group as contract workers in Hawaiian sugar cane

plantationsplantations• Third group after World War II included veterans and wives Third group after World War II included veterans and wives

of US soldiersof US soldiers• Newest immigrants arrived under 1965 Immigration Act and Newest immigrants arrived under 1965 Immigration Act and

included many professionals (physicians and nurses)included many professionals (physicians and nurses)

– American born Filipinos tend to be American born Filipinos tend to be educationally and economically educationally and economically disadvantaged in comparison to new disadvantaged in comparison to new arrivalsarrivals

– Lack significant ethnic organizations-function Lack significant ethnic organizations-function of of

• Strong loyalty to family and churchStrong loyalty to family and church• Diversity among Filipinos make forming ties Diversity among Filipinos make forming ties

problematicproblematic• Organizations are club like or fraternal and largely Organizations are club like or fraternal and largely

invisibleinvisible• Show signs of seeking involvement in broader Show signs of seeking involvement in broader

communitycommunity

• Southeast Asian AmericansSoutheast Asian Americans– Came largely from Vietnam, Cambodia, LaosCame largely from Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos– Many arrived as political refugees after the Communist Many arrived as political refugees after the Communist

take over in their respective countriestake over in their respective countries– Many experienced adjustment problems culturally, and Many experienced adjustment problems culturally, and

economicallyeconomically– Crime among this ethnic group has two ugly aspectsCrime among this ethnic group has two ugly aspects

• Reprisals for the warReprisals for the war• Emergence of gangs as the young seek support of close-knit Emergence of gangs as the young seek support of close-knit

groupsgroups

– 1995 US initiated normal diplomatic relations with 1995 US initiated normal diplomatic relations with VietnamVietnam

• More movement between the nationsMore movement between the nations

• Case Study: A Hmong CommunityCase Study: A Hmong Community– Sizable population in Wausau, WisconsinSizable population in Wausau, Wisconsin– Come from rural areas of Laos and VietnamCome from rural areas of Laos and Vietnam

• Recruited to work for the CIA during the warRecruited to work for the CIA during the war• Life difficult after US pulled out, many immigrated because US Life difficult after US pulled out, many immigrated because US

policy open to their residencypolicy open to their residency

– Faced major issues of assimilation especially in language Faced major issues of assimilation especially in language and educationand education

– Conflict over contemporary US policiesConflict over contemporary US policies• Recruited to gather information about communists during the Recruited to gather information about communists during the

warwar• Continued disputes over whether US may lift trade barriers Continued disputes over whether US may lift trade barriers

with communist-rum government of Laoswith communist-rum government of Laos

• Korean AmericansKorean Americans– Community is result of three waves of immigrationCommunity is result of three waves of immigration

• First group of 7,000 immigrants came between 1903 and First group of 7,000 immigrants came between 1903 and 1910 and settled and worked as laborers in Hawaii1910 and settled and worked as laborers in Hawaii

• Second group of 14,000 came after the Korean War from Second group of 14,000 came after the Korean War from 1951-19641951-1964

• Third group and largest group came under the 1965 Third group and largest group came under the 1965 Immigration ActImmigration Act

– Face cultural and economic adjustment problemsFace cultural and economic adjustment problems• Stress, loneliness, alcoholism, family strife, and mental Stress, loneliness, alcoholism, family strife, and mental

disordersdisorders– IlchomoseIlchomose

• ““1.5 generation” – Korean immigrants that accompanied parents to US 1.5 generation” – Korean immigrants that accompanied parents to US when young and now occupy middle marginal positions between Korean when young and now occupy middle marginal positions between Korean and US cultureand US culture

– Church is the most visible and important organization Church is the most visible and important organization outside of the familyoutside of the family

• Provides a sense of communityProvides a sense of community• In the early 1990s, nationwide attention was given to the In the early 1990s, nationwide attention was given to the

friction between Korean Americans and other subordinate friction between Korean Americans and other subordinate groups, primarily African Americans, but also Hispanicsgroups, primarily African Americans, but also Hispanics

– 60% of US born Korean and half of the women born 60% of US born Korean and half of the women born abroad are in the labor forceabroad are in the labor force

• Significant because of established, well-defined family roles Significant because of established, well-defined family roles that allow women to be homemakers and mothersthat allow women to be homemakers and mothers

– Kye (pronounced “kay”)Kye (pronounced “kay”)• Special form of development capital used to subsidize businesses and is not Special form of development capital used to subsidize businesses and is not

protected by laws or insuranceprotected by laws or insurance– Conflict with other minority groups gained national Conflict with other minority groups gained national

attention during 1992 South LA riotsattention during 1992 South LA riots

• Hawaii and its PeopleHawaii and its People– Effect of White arrival on the Hawaiians was disastrousEffect of White arrival on the Hawaiians was disastrous

• Civil war and disease reduced number to 30,000 by 1900 and is Civil war and disease reduced number to 30,000 by 1900 and is probably 10,000 nowprobably 10,000 now

– 1900 Organic Act1900 Organic Act• Guaranteed racial equality but foreign rule was psychologically devastatingGuaranteed racial equality but foreign rule was psychologically devastating

– Japanese and Japanese and Haoles (Wealthy Whites)Haoles (Wealthy Whites) dominate the dominate the economyeconomy

• Japanese especially important in education – 58% of teachers Japanese especially important in education – 58% of teachers and also dominate politics on the islandand also dominate politics on the island

– Hawaii has always been more racially harmonious than Hawaii has always been more racially harmonious than mainlandmainland

• Never had segregation, Jim Crow, slavery, or laws against Never had segregation, Jim Crow, slavery, or laws against interracial marriageinterracial marriage

– Sovereignty MovementSovereignty Movement• Effort by indigenous people of Hawaii to secure a measure of self-Effort by indigenous people of Hawaii to secure a measure of self-

government and restoration of their landsgovernment and restoration of their lands• Similar to the sovereignty efforts of Native AmericansSimilar to the sovereignty efforts of Native Americans

– Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act or the Akaka Billor the Akaka Bill

• Provide people of Hawaiian ancestry more say over resourcesProvide people of Hawaiian ancestry more say over resources– provide affordable housing, take steps to preserve culture, and create provide affordable housing, take steps to preserve culture, and create

a means by which they could better express their grievancesa means by which they could better express their grievances

– Hawaii is no way a racial paradiseHawaii is no way a racial paradise• Certain occupations and social classes are dominated by a Certain occupations and social classes are dominated by a

single racial groupsingle racial group• It is expected that people will not totally resist prejudice as It is expected that people will not totally resist prejudice as

the island’s isolation is reducedthe island’s isolation is reduced• Relative to the mainland, race relations characterized more by Relative to the mainland, race relations characterized more by

harmony than discordharmony than discord

QUESTIONSQUESTIONS

• How is the model minority image a disservice to How is the model minority image a disservice to both Asian Americans and other subordinate both Asian Americans and other subordinate racial and ethnic groups?racial and ethnic groups?

• In what respects has the mass media image of In what respects has the mass media image of Asian Americans been both undifferentiated and Asian Americans been both undifferentiated and negative?negative?

• How is the model minority image reinforced by How is the model minority image reinforced by images in the media?images in the media?

• How has the tendency of many Korean How has the tendency of many Korean Americans to help each other been an asset but Americans to help each other been an asset but also been viewed with suspicion by those outside also been viewed with suspicion by those outside the community?the community?

• What critical events or legislative acts increased What critical events or legislative acts increased each Asian American group’s immigration into each Asian American group’s immigration into the United States?the United States?

• Keeping in mind that adolescence is based on Keeping in mind that adolescence is based on culture and values, coming of age is difficult culture and values, coming of age is difficult given the ambiguities of adolescence in the given the ambiguities of adolescence in the United States. How is it doubly difficult for the United States. How is it doubly difficult for the children of immigrants? How do you think the children of immigrants? How do you think the immigrants themselves, such as those from Asia, immigrants themselves, such as those from Asia, view this process?view this process?

• American Indians, Hispanics, Asian Americans, American Indians, Hispanics, Asian Americans, and Black are all convenient terms to refer to and Black are all convenient terms to refer to diverse groups of people. Do you see these diverse groups of people. Do you see these broad umbrella terms as being more appropriate broad umbrella terms as being more appropriate for one group than for the others? Explain your for one group than for the others? Explain your answer.answer.

• To what degree do race relations in Hawaii offer To what degree do race relations in Hawaii offer both promise and a chilling dose of reality to the both promise and a chilling dose of reality to the future of race and ethnicity on the mainland?future of race and ethnicity on the mainland?