Why Decoupling Asian and Asian-American Issues are Disadvantageous for Social Standing of Asian-Americans
There are plenty of groups in America that fights for rights and recognition of ethnic issues in this country. They admirably devote great energy in ensuring that the general non-Asian public in America become more aware of the unjust treatments individual Asians and the Asian community as a whole receive in this country. By publicizing issues such as United Airlines' ill-treatment of Dr David Dao, these groups have slowly and gradually changed the misconception among non-Asians (especially whites) in this country that Asians tend to face less racism problems than other peoples of color.
While these groups actively combat problems of race that Asians face in America, many have chosen to stand down when the issues of Asian-Americans get intertwined with issues in Asia (the continent). Going back to the issue of Asians and airlines, there have been clear uptick on Asians from Asia traveling on American airlines. The number of ill-treatments based on supposed "national security threat" has been proportionally increased. Yet, Asian-American awareness groups have not only been silent on these issues, but in many cases have clearly issued statements that they will not get involved on issues pertaining to "Asian politics."
Some might argue that the reluctance of Asian-American groups to voice opinions on issues related to Asia come from a lack of expertise. After all, many Asian-Americans have little knowledge of Asia, having never really been, not mention grown up, on the continent. For these groups, to involve themselves on issues pertaining to Asia would be "biting off more than they can chew," putting themselves in precarious positions that would threaten their very credibility if not careful. Such sentiments are highly justified, but should not preclude these groups from establishing stronger ties and developing greater knowledge of Asia over time.
The primary reason for the need to get involved with Asian affairs is just how important, to non-Asians in America, their images of Asia (and its constituent countries) are to their images of Asian-Americans who may have little ties with those countries in the first place. The stereotype of Asians as perpetual foreigners" in America remain incredibly strong, despite the fact that there is an ever larger population of Asian-Americans who have been in the country for generations and have no familial, not to mention political or economic ties, to the Asian continent.
In many cases, the continuing strength of the "perpetual foreigner" stereotype has as much to do with the behaviors of the Asian-Americans themselves as they are with the antiquated views of Asians among non-Asians in America. Even generations after landing in America, Asian-Americans cannot stop grouping themselves by their ethnic heritage, and opinionating on how their particular Asian ethnicities are different (and even better) than those of other ones. To illustrate the difference, they make there are clear distinctions between Korean-American food/culture from the Filipino-American one, for instance.
If the Asian-Americans are so enthusiastic about stressing how one part of Asia is different from another, there really is no wonder why non-Asians would think Asians remain "foreign" in America. After all, no white or black person in America talk about which part of Europe or Africa their ancestors come from with such gusto as Asians speak about their ethnic origins. The conflict among different Asians based on ethnic differences ensure that non-Asians are constantly reminded of how Asians are defined by political boundaries set on the Asian continent. Unsurprisingly, non-Asians would be led to believe, then, that Asians in America remain tied to Asia.
The fact of the matter is that the "perpetual foreigner" stereotype will not go away until Asians stop talking about "what kind of Asians" they are, something that unlikely to change anytime soon. Hence, Asian-American groups must live and work with the "perpetual foreigner" stereotype, embracing the need to incorporate "foreign" issues pertaining to Asians in order to create a fuller picture of what it means to be Asian-American. The refusal of Asian-American groups to partake in discussions of Asian issues, thus, greatly reduce the efficacy with which they can raise awareness among non-Asians.
As an oft-ignored social group, Asian-Americans need more recognition by non-Asians in order to secure a higher social standing in the US. Asian-American awareness groups have been doing their best to raise awareness of issues pertaining to Asians in America. But their inability to also involve themselves with issues in Asia that would have implications for Asian-Americans greatly reduce their effectiveness in securing the higher social standing for Asian-Americans. In light of continuing strength of the Asian-American "perpetual foreigner" stereotype, it is imperative that Asian-American groups stop shying away from Asian issues.
While these groups actively combat problems of race that Asians face in America, many have chosen to stand down when the issues of Asian-Americans get intertwined with issues in Asia (the continent). Going back to the issue of Asians and airlines, there have been clear uptick on Asians from Asia traveling on American airlines. The number of ill-treatments based on supposed "national security threat" has been proportionally increased. Yet, Asian-American awareness groups have not only been silent on these issues, but in many cases have clearly issued statements that they will not get involved on issues pertaining to "Asian politics."
Some might argue that the reluctance of Asian-American groups to voice opinions on issues related to Asia come from a lack of expertise. After all, many Asian-Americans have little knowledge of Asia, having never really been, not mention grown up, on the continent. For these groups, to involve themselves on issues pertaining to Asia would be "biting off more than they can chew," putting themselves in precarious positions that would threaten their very credibility if not careful. Such sentiments are highly justified, but should not preclude these groups from establishing stronger ties and developing greater knowledge of Asia over time.
The primary reason for the need to get involved with Asian affairs is just how important, to non-Asians in America, their images of Asia (and its constituent countries) are to their images of Asian-Americans who may have little ties with those countries in the first place. The stereotype of Asians as perpetual foreigners" in America remain incredibly strong, despite the fact that there is an ever larger population of Asian-Americans who have been in the country for generations and have no familial, not to mention political or economic ties, to the Asian continent.
In many cases, the continuing strength of the "perpetual foreigner" stereotype has as much to do with the behaviors of the Asian-Americans themselves as they are with the antiquated views of Asians among non-Asians in America. Even generations after landing in America, Asian-Americans cannot stop grouping themselves by their ethnic heritage, and opinionating on how their particular Asian ethnicities are different (and even better) than those of other ones. To illustrate the difference, they make there are clear distinctions between Korean-American food/culture from the Filipino-American one, for instance.
If the Asian-Americans are so enthusiastic about stressing how one part of Asia is different from another, there really is no wonder why non-Asians would think Asians remain "foreign" in America. After all, no white or black person in America talk about which part of Europe or Africa their ancestors come from with such gusto as Asians speak about their ethnic origins. The conflict among different Asians based on ethnic differences ensure that non-Asians are constantly reminded of how Asians are defined by political boundaries set on the Asian continent. Unsurprisingly, non-Asians would be led to believe, then, that Asians in America remain tied to Asia.
The fact of the matter is that the "perpetual foreigner" stereotype will not go away until Asians stop talking about "what kind of Asians" they are, something that unlikely to change anytime soon. Hence, Asian-American groups must live and work with the "perpetual foreigner" stereotype, embracing the need to incorporate "foreign" issues pertaining to Asians in order to create a fuller picture of what it means to be Asian-American. The refusal of Asian-American groups to partake in discussions of Asian issues, thus, greatly reduce the efficacy with which they can raise awareness among non-Asians.
As an oft-ignored social group, Asian-Americans need more recognition by non-Asians in order to secure a higher social standing in the US. Asian-American awareness groups have been doing their best to raise awareness of issues pertaining to Asians in America. But their inability to also involve themselves with issues in Asia that would have implications for Asian-Americans greatly reduce their effectiveness in securing the higher social standing for Asian-Americans. In light of continuing strength of the Asian-American "perpetual foreigner" stereotype, it is imperative that Asian-American groups stop shying away from Asian issues.
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