Asian American Identities: Racial and Ethnic Identity Issues in the Twenty-first Century

Within the Asian American population, a new trend is emerging in which the second generation (children of immigrants, born in the United States) has redefined what being Asian American means to them. The notion of who Asian Americans are as a group has vastly shifted from the time the 1965 Immigration Act was passed. The definition of who is fit for inclusion within the Asian American category has been contested in recent years, and this book explores the experiences of those categorized as such at the dawn of the 21st century. Beyond the scope of how people are defined and categorized by the state, the central question explored in this book addresses how individuals themselves define what it means to be Asian American. "This book provides an insightful look into Asian American identity. It provides readers with a comprehensive overview of the historical, psychological, and social issues surrounding the development of the Asian American identity." - Professor Margaret Shih, University of Michigan