Asian Americans Lecture Outline (& key Group Discussion Points)
Socio-Economic Status data (SES) for Asian Americans and key subgroups, compared to US averages and US whites & other US minority groups.
Note patterns in data (not exact #’s) –some of similarities and differences between main groups (Indian, Chinese, Filipino, Korean, Japanese, Pacific Islanders, Vietnamese & other SE Asians (Cambodians and Laotians & Hmong)(Schaefer Chs. 12 & 13, & lecture)
Tremendous diversitywithin Asian American category relative size of 5 main subgroups(Schaefer, Ch. 12)
Key role of US foreign policy (wars and colonization/ conquest) in leading many of those groups to come to US – esp. Vietnamese & SE Asians, Koreans, and Filipinos (Schaefer Ch. 12)
Asian Indians as new prominent, large group (& ed. levels) (Schaefer Ch. 12) – note: South Asians quite different from East Asians culturally(Diversity of Asian American)
Panethnicitydifficulties and challenges of it for this group, though some success at achieving it(Schaefer, ch. 12, Chan rdg. 17 in H&A)
Asian American identity challenges- Chan (Rdg 17 in H7A) faced class and gender and ethnicity challenges; did not always conform to “model minority” but came to develop Asian American identity, beyond country of origin identity…
Model Minority (Schaefer, ch, 12)
What is the stereotype & some data to support it (econ. & ed. status).
Positive aspect to it…. But lots of negative aspects, also:
Esp. re: qualifications & ed. & pay (relatively underpaid) & glass ceiling, hours worked, & reward for that, masks SES diversity within Asian Americans (not all succeeding, some need help), [Also, can be an example to use against other minority groups (as counter-example to them to “blame the victim”)]
Overlooks problems within Asian American communities (esp. in education). I showed data from California on Ed probs. for Asian Americans. Also, there is Econ. Success in the larger group, but poverty also… (Asian Americans economically polarized somewhat, some groups high income and others quite low)
When one doesn’t fit image in some way (SES/Class in Chan’s case—Rdg. 17 in H&A), causes difficulties and insecurities
Also, lots of pressure on Asian American young people to succeed, can lead to high achievenment but also lots of stress and alienation if don’t quite measure up…
[Teen suicide rate for Asian Americans and how this may show a down side to “model minority” stereotype (Schaefer Ch. 12)]
Media misrepresentations & Stereotypesof Asian Americans – some of key types and examples (Schaefer ch. 12)
WWII Internment of Japanese – losses and later apology & payment, US Army unit of Japanese Americans, etc. (Schaefer, Ch. 13)
Chinatowns as enclaves– helpful & have positive aspects, but significant social problems also… (Schaefer, ch, 13, Chan rdg. 17 in H&A)
Religion—Key case on importance of religion is Korean Americans. Also, there is a lot of variety in the level of importance of religious institutions among various Asian American sub-groups (Schaefer Ch. 12)
“Middleman Minority” -- E.g. Korean Americans (Schaefer, Ch. 12)
[& tensions of this position, esp. with other minority groups.]
Compared to Ethnic Enclave model (e.g., Chinatown, and Little Havana in Miami)
Not discussed (or not much)but be sure to know basics about:
Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882and similar restrictions on Japanese immigration (see Schaefer Ch. 13)
Some of continuing Prejudice & Discrimination Today (Schaefer Ch. 13). see also Yellow Peril” (Schaefer Ch. 12)
Some basic info. (SES data & history in US) on Filipinos, Vietnamese (&SE Asians), & Korean Americans , because we mentioned them very little in class (history of coming to US, key characteristics and experiences in US.) (Schaefer, Ch. 12)
Alien Land Act—California Law 1913 against Japanese Am. Farmers; rather extreme form of discrimination… (Schaefer, Ch. 13)
Political involvement—generally low Asian American involvement and representation patterns, reasons for this (country of origin traditions), as well as an exception: Indian Americans. (Schaefer Ch. 12)