ASIAN CULTURE AND IDENTITY

The Fundamentals of Identity and Culture

Identity is something we all strive to find out about ourselves. We want to have an
identity that is separate from our parents or siblings. We also like to have a cultural
background that is the basis for our identification. To better understand the fundamentals
of identity and culture we are going to look at one specific group. Here, I will try to
spread out informations on the Asian Culture and Asian Identity.
There are many factors in determining the Asian identity and Asian culture. First
history, socioeconomics, and sociological factors must be examined. It is these three
factors that truly make a decision for the Asian identity and Asian culture we will be
discussing below. There is a wide range of information to determine the Asian culture. In
fact there are several different forms of Asian culture as there are separate countries that
Asian Americans come from. Someone from Thailand most likely has a different Asian
identity than a Japanese Asian American.
First let's take a look at the primordial or essentialist perspective. This is an
argument for ethnic identity that can be applied to the Asian identity we are trying to
piece together. Primordial means that the Asian identity a person has is something they
are born with. In other words it is going to be instinct or natural patterns that form this
Asian identity. It makes this part of the person hard to change. This is partly where the
Asian culture comes in. There are markers in Asian culture that will determine the
primordial ethnic identity.
A certain Asian culture that is on a remote island may differ from the same ethnic
grouping that is found on a busier island.. This is truly what forms the Asian identity.
There is another part to the Asian identity that must be discussed. Identity comes
from genetic markers as well as the world around the person. There is also resurgent
ethnic identity that allows for the traditional and ancestral identities to appear. In other
words circumstances that may have occurred in the past can influence ones identity a
hundred or even two thousand years later. World War II is a good example of the changes
to ones culture that can occur and change identity of the person. During the war many
things occurred, especially discrimination based on fear in the US.
A parent that was alive during that time may not wish to remember things that
may have happened to them, but the child wishes to know. On the other hand the parent
may want the child to remember something about their heritage that they don't
particularly care to know.. It is all in how the person is raised, the environmental factors
as well as the primordial.

Asian American Studies: Portrait of Asian American History

Asian American studies will show that there has been a long and varied Asian
American history that is imperative to understanding how the US views Asians now. We
will start at the very beginning of the Asian American studies in order to help you
understand the Asian American history we are discussing. The first Asian Americans
were in Manilla, a village that was taken over by the USA. The first Asian Americans
were also in Mexico rather than the US. It was not until the 1750's that the Asian
American truly began on US soil.
During the 1750's Filipino sailors began to come from their native land and stop
in the Louisiana territory. Then in the 1840's there was a need for more slaves. Since
Africa wasn't offering as many slaves as they did at the beginning, many began to bring
over Asians to fill the gap. Thus the start of the Asian American studies and therefore
Asian American history shows that slavery was a key part to their past on US soil.
 The first large scale immigration to the US was in 1848. During this time there
was the Rush for Gold, which is why many of the Chinese began to come to the US. They
wanted to find their fortune and return home wealthy. During Asian American history at
this time they also had slaves. The Guangdong or Canton would come over offering to
work in America as a way to get rich, but found themselves a victim of slavery for the
more wealthy Chinese. Asian American studies do show that some of these individuals
were able to escape their slavery, but many didn't find the wealth they wished for. In fact
they went from finding gold in their Asian American history to working on the railroads
in some of the most dangerous jobs just to be able to survive. Asian American studies are
quite fascinating to see where it all began.
Now to move through to the next big section of Asian American studies and
therefore Asian American history we have the 1950's. World War II brought a lot of fear
into the US. During this part of Asian American history as well as Asian American
studies it doesn't show the US in a good light. In fact this was one of the worst times in
Asian American history. The Asian American studies of this time lay the ground work for
today. During the 1950's Japanese and most Asians were interred within government
buildings for questioning. They were suspected of being spies for their home country. It
is these Asian American studies that mark the advancement for today. This Asian
American history has set forth the need for affirmative action and equality changes. At
the time the land of the free turned against the Asian American again. Now hopefully
Asian American history and Asian American studies can help us move based on the fear
and discrimination to allowing more advancement in the workplace, government and
other areas for the Asians.
Asian American Culture: Perspectives, Experiences, and Prospects

Unless one experiences Asian culture first hand it is hard to understand the
perspectives, experiences, and prospects that are truly out there. Following this article
there will be a couple of interesting links to articles written recently that will afford more
of a look as to how Asian culture is being viewed and even portrayed in recent media.
Long has Chinatown been our only perspective on the Asian American culture, but some
are on their way to changing the very fold we seem to place Asian Americans in.
Chinatown in California and New York are just a few of the Asian culture populations to
study. There is much more than just Chinatown.
In Chinatown we have seen the poorest of the Asian culture, but that is not all.
Chinatown is more than just immigrants without papers or immigrants who wish to keep
a part of their Asian culture in America. It is a community of individuals who can feel
like a large family.
They have a support network. Chinatown seems to be the place that should be
envied by many because of the family oriented life that goes on there, but that is just one
perspective. Experience does show that while there is support there are also other issues
at hand that need to be resolved. Part of those issues is a lack of funds or prospects for
some families. It is a mix of what America is truly about. You have those struggling to
get out of Chinatown to find a better life. Then you have those that have power in the
community that don't want to leave. There are also some that wish for revitalization of
Chinatown. It is not just one thing or the other; it is a whole community.
There are other communities that are separate from Chinatown. These are families
that have moved to mostly mixed communities or more white communities than
Chinatown. In this you will see a different Asian culture perspective. Many of these
families are living rather well with a higher education, the American Dream home, and
jobs that support them fully and completely. The entire Asian culture in America is not
poor or repressed. There are certainly communities that struggle and there is no question
of that, but many have already been able to get their education and hold top level jobs in
pharmaceuticals, health care, IT, research and development and other areas that pay very
well. Asian culture is a mix of perspectives and experiences. There is no doubt of that.
The prospects for the Asian culture are growing. There are more universities
accepting students of Asian culture. There are more jobs being offered as a result as well.
The prospects are in politics and television, and film is also growing. The opportunities
are not as limited as they were in the 1950's up until ten years ago. More and more is
being done to make sure those with the money and power are helping to empower the
next generation.

Asian American Youth: Culture and Identity

The next generation in any community is something that must be examined to see
where the country will be headed in the future. The generation of now has been running
the country and they are the ones to make decisions. They are also the ones to help the
youth find a better path then they themselves had. Part of the Asian growth opportunities
has been to allow more and more of their countrymen and women to experience the
American dream. To help Asian American youth there are many programs in place..
Secretary Chao and other Asian Americans are beginning to get legislation passed
as well as set up organizations to help Asian American youth. However, before we launch
further into the help Asian American youth campaigns that are being offered and the
Asian growth opportunities we should look at the identity and culture of the Asian
American youth.
To help Asian American youth we must understand why gangs or shopping sprees
are so important. For example, many of the Asian American youth have more than their
parents because they are able to learn the language and be natural born citizens in
America. They have more freedom than their parents or even grandparents grew up with
in Asia. This freedom sometimes leads to the un-positive behaviors we have seen. Part of
it is identity though. To help Asian American youth you must understand that just
because they have had the Asian growth opportunities they still feel like outsiders in their
schools. This causes a need for a gang or group of friends that they can identify with.

Now that you understand a little about their identity and the misuse of Asian
growth opportunities we can look to the positive side and how to help Asian American
youth attain something better. The Asian growth opportunities exist in many ways.. You
have Asian growth opportunities that are in politics, medicine, IT, and other high income
fields. These Asian growth opportunities have come about by offering scholarship
programs, workshops, and even cultural courses and identity courses to help a person
assimilate better. It is important that the help Asian American youth options are there,
and that they have as many Asian growth opportunities as possible. This may mean
government money to help get schooling, a better home for their parents, and much more.

To help Asian American youth means you are helping the individuals of
tomorrow. To help Asian American youth is essential because they are the ones going to
be holding offices, working in the medical field and seeing that their children have a
better future. The future is uncertain as many things can change, but as long as there are
individuals out there to help Asian American youth and offer the Asian growth
opportunities the world can change for the better. There is no longer a need to return to
Asia for schooling. Many of the schools in America are providing Asian growth
opportunities in the ability for youth to own their own business or rise as a CEO in a large
company.

Family and the Asian Culture

The Asian family has a strong bond and this provides for growth and opportunity
within the family, and also when they reach adulthood. There are many Asian culture
associations that provide an extended family for many Asian Americans. The business
world of the Asian American is strongly linked to family. The Asian family run business
is a constant in many communities. You will see family working together in their
restaurant or other type of business. The Asian culture associations are also available to
provide extra bonding.
 The Asian family has certain expectations for their children and the children know
what is expected of them. The Asian culture associations are there to help reinforce the
values of the family. Many families expect the children to use the capacity they have for
learning to achieve high marks in school. The Asian family will reward the child for a
perfect four point average in school. This can carry through to the Asian culture
associations as well. They provide after school activities that compliment the parent's
beliefs.
The Asian family has a deep sense of family and respect the many generations
that very often live in the same area. The result is a well rounded child with a strong
identity and bright future. The Asian culture associations are varied and continue to
encourage adults and children alike. When you are a part of the Asian culture
associations they preserve the culture and grow in the new environment. The Asian
family usually will have a very stable, nurturing place to call home.
Some of the Asian culture associations can be church groups, sports minded
groups or just a group of peers for children and adults. These groups can help the Asian
family become an integral part of the community in which they live. Unfortunately there
can still be some prejudice in the country where the Asian family lives. The Asian culture
associations can help families work out this problem. They can provide ideas for dealing
with any type of problem. They will enhance the traditions of the Asian family while
helping to integrate you within the new culture. The Asian culture associations can help
to keep the traditions strong as well.
The Asian family instills faith in the home, and the most common faith is
Catholicism. The reason that Catholicism is the top religion is due to many of the
missions in the Pacific islands. In fact, the Philippines were one of the most common
places for the missionaries. They are also one of the largest Asian culture associations in
the United States. The next religion is agnostic in which faith is not practiced.
As you have seen in the above information Asian Americans are very well
rounded in their community and strive to perform at the highest level of perfection. There
is a little bit of a change in the communities. Some of the children experience more of the
American dream than their parents. This is due to more open opportunities to these
children in the last few years and it will continue to be more open in the future.