Asian-Americans: The Chinese,Japanese,Koreans,Pilipinos,and Southeast Asians

Abstract

The term "Asian-American" covers over 20 na tionality groups. It includes the Chinese and Japanese whose major immigration occurred decades ago, and the Koreans and Pilipinos whose major migration is still in progress. It identifies voluntary migrants from the Pacific Islands such as Guam and Samoa and the recently arrived refugees from Southeast Asia who fled for their lives. It covers a wide variety of identities and a range of languages and cultures, yet this diversity has been categorized into a number of Asian stereotypes. Asian- Americans are expected to know the language and culture of their ancestors and to retain a loyalty to their home countries in a way that is not expected of European immigrants. A nega tive consequence of this stereotype occurred during World War II when all persons of Japanese ancestry, whether citizens or aliens, were interned, presumably because of these strong ties. It is incumbent among Americans to recognize the dif ferences among Asian-American groups and to acknowledge that the intergroup processes that have affected all immigrant groups will occur for Asian-Americans if racial stereotypes diminish and discrimination abates. The more open the system, the higher the probability that the more normal processes of group interaction will take place.