Asian American
Eastern-descended US citizen
Asian American refers to Americans of Asian descent—those with ancestry from East Asia, Southeast Asia, or South Asia.
The term emerged in the 1960s as a unifying identity, replacing "Oriental," which is now considered dated and offensive.
Asian American encompasses enormous diversity: Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese, and dozens of other ethnic backgrounds.
The Asian American community has been vocal about anti-Asian hate crimes.
Often hyphenated when used as an adjective: Asian-American voters.
Guaranteed individual legal protections
- social justiceFair distribution of opportunities
- advocacyPleading for a cause
- empowermentGaining authority or confidence
- solidarityUnity among allies
coalition building · grassroots · organizing · representation · visibility · reparations · affirmative action · voter mobilization
Racialized success stereotype
- bamboo ceilingInvisible career barrier for Asians
- hate crimesOffenses targeting protected characteristics
- racismPrejudice based on ethnicity
- xenophobiaHatred of outsiders
stereotypes · microaggressions · scapegoating · exclusion · internment · racial profiling · othering · discrimination
Belonging to ancestral group
- cultural identityBelonging through shared traditions
- hyphenated identityCombined ancestry descriptor
- dual identityHaving two distinct selves
- biculturalOf two cultural backgrounds
heritage · ancestry · roots · belonging · representation · visibility · self-identification · AAPI
Relocating abroad permanently
- visaTravel authorization stamp
- green cardU.S. residency document
- naturalizationLegal path to belonging
- citizenshipStatus as state member
Ellis Island · quota · refugee · asylum · sponsorship · deportation · undocumented · first generation
Long-established customs passed down
- customsTraditional practices or import taxes
- festivalsOrganized communal celebrations
- Lunar New YearFestival marking moon-calendar's beginning
- cuisineCharacteristic cooking style
food culture · language · heritage language · filial piety · family values · intergenerational · elders · ancestors
civil rights
Guaranteed individual legal protections
- social justiceFair distribution of opportunities
- advocacyPleading for a cause
- empowermentGaining authority or confidence
solidarity · coalition building · grassroots · organizing · representation · visibility · reparations · affirmative action · voter mobilization · political participation
model minority
Racialized success stereotype
- bamboo ceilingInvisible career barrier for Asians
- hate crimesOffenses targeting protected characteristics
- racismPrejudice based on ethnicity
xenophobia · stereotypes · microaggressions · scapegoating · exclusion · internment · racial profiling · othering · discrimination · prejudice
ethnic identity
Belonging to ancestral group
- cultural identityBelonging through shared traditions
- hyphenated identityCombined ancestry descriptor
- dual identityHaving two distinct selves
bicultural · heritage · ancestry · roots · belonging · representation · visibility · self-identification · AAPI · community
immigration
Relocating abroad permanently
- visaTravel authorization stamp
- green cardU.S. residency document
- naturalizationLegal path to belonging
citizenship · Ellis Island · quota · refugee · asylum · sponsorship · deportation · undocumented · first generation · second generation
traditions
Long-established customs passed down
- customsTraditional practices or import taxes
- festivalsOrganized communal celebrations
- Lunar New YearFestival marking moon-calendar's beginning
cuisine · food culture · language · heritage language · filial piety · family values · intergenerational · elders · ancestors · folk arts
- Asian AmericansGuamanian, Hawaiian, Chinatown, Koreatown, Little Saigon
- racerace, racial identity, racial classification, ethnicity, biracial
- race literatureHarlem Renaissance, slave narratives, racial themes, minority voices, protest literature
- EthnicitiesAfrican, European, Arab, Chinese, Japanese
Asian AmericanEuropean American
American with ancestry from Europe
White American · African American · Native American · Hispanic American · Caucasian
Asian AmericanNative American
Original inhabitants of America
American Indian · First Nations · Alaska Native · Native Hawaiian · indigenous peoples