Summary
Highlights
The Pew Research Center conducted 66 focus groups with 18 different Asian ethnic origins in 18 languages to understand what it means to be Asian in America. Identity is multifaceted, shaped by context, life stage, and location. Asians in the U.S. are a broad and diverse group, including large populations like Chinese, Indian, Filipino and Korean Americans, as well as smaller groups such as Cambodian, Laotian, and Hmong, spanning various geographic origins like South, Southeast, and East Asia.
Many participants, though clear about their own identity, found it challenging to articulate it to non-coethnic individuals who might not understand their cultural heritage or even their country of origin. Examples include a Chinese American woman emphasizing both her Chinese roots and American birth, a Lao immigrant feeling confused about belonging, and a Hmong American woman highlighting her dual identity and the unique experiences of Hmong women within the broader Asian American community. A Sikh American combines his Sikh values with American systems.
The video provides historical immigration contexts, such as Chinese families coming to the U.S. as merchants in the early 1900s. For foreign-born Asian Americans, who form the majority, their identity from their country of origin (e.g., Philippines, India, China) remains important as they negotiate what it means to be themselves in America. The narrative also includes stories of economic migration, like a Pakistani cab driver achieving his dream in America, and refugee experiences, particularly for those from the Vietnam War era (Vietnamese, Lao, Cambodian, Hmong), who came to the U.S. under duress.
Newly immigrated Asian Americans often face significant language barriers, which can create fear and difficulty in navigating essential services like healthcare. Hmong American descendants of refugees discuss how their family's experience of fleeing a war-torn homeland shapes their identity, distinguishing them from the 'model minority' stereotype and emphasizing their unique Hmong American woman identity.
The internment of Japanese Americans during World War II is highlighted as a pivotal event shaping their identity. Personal accounts describe the shock of evacuation orders, having to bury possessions, and living in harsh conditions in relocation centers like Santa Anita and Heart Mountain. The trauma led to a generation feeling shame and wishing they were not Japanese, yet ultimately finding pride in their heritage despite the discrimination faced.
Historical discrimination against Asians in America is explored, including the challenges faced by Chinese Americans during WWII, who were often mistaken for Japanese and experienced segregation similar to Black Americans. Personal stories recount being picked on and experiencing racial prejudice in dating. Incidents like having a family store fire-bombed by the KKK and an individual being beaten up on the first day of integrated public school in the South illustrate the pervasive nature of racism.
The September 11th attacks significantly impacted South Asian Americans, leading to increased discrimination, including airport profiling, business vandalism, and verbal abuse like 'Go back to your country.' Sikh Americans, particularly those wearing turbans, were often mistaken for terrorists, leading to widespread backlash and a sense of panic reminiscent of past communal violence in India. This period fueled activism among younger generations to combat hate.
Asian Americans have diverse responses to discrimination. Some brush off comments like 'Go back to your country' as ignorance, while others take it seriously as it challenges their core identity, prompting them to assert their belonging. Personal experiences include being asked 'Where are you really from?' and experiencing hostility in less diverse communities, even leading to hate mail and physical attacks.
Despite challenges, America represents a land of dreams and opportunities for many Asian Americans. The study highlights the sense of responsibility to amplify these stories and promote understanding of what it means to be Asian in America. While navigating identity struggles, language barriers, and discrimination, Asian Americans find hope, pride, and continue to shape their future within the U.S., celebrating their heritage while embracing their American identity.