Struggle for Ethnic Identity: Narratives by Asian American Professionals

by Pyong Gap Min, Rose Kim (Editor)

Overview

Dr. Pyong Gap Min and Rose Kim present a compilation of narratives on ethnic identity written by first-, 1.5-, and second-generation Asian American professionals. In an attempt to reconcile the dichotomies long associated with being both Asian and American, these narratives trace the formation of each author's ethnic identity and discuss its importance in shaping his or her professional career. The narratives touch upon common themes of prejudice and discrimination, loss and retention of ethnic subculture, ethnic versus non-ethnic friendship networks, and racial and inter-racial dating patterns. When coupled with Dr. Min's comprehensive introductory chapter on contemporary trends in the study of ethnicity, these narratives prove that constructing one's ethnicity is truly a dynamic process and serve as an invaluable resource for anyone interested in teaching or studying the concepts of ethnic identity.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780759117396
Publisher:	AltaMira Press
Publication date:	01/20/1999
Series:	Critical Perspectives on Asian Pacific Americans , #4
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	240
File size:	595 KB

About the Author

Pyong Gap Min: Queens College of the City University of New York Rose Kim: Journalist

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Acknowledgments
Chapter 2 Introduction
Chapter 3 I. Pyong Gap Min: Ethnicity: Concepts, Theories, and Trends
Chapter 4 II. Ethnic Culture: An Identity in Conflict
Chapter 5 Rose Kim, My Trek
Chapter 6 Ruth Chung, Reflections on A Korean American Journey
Chapter 7 Alex Jeong, A Handicapped Korean in America
Chapter 8 III. Building Coalitions: A Pan-Asian or Non-White Identity?
Chapter 9 Kavitha Mediratta, How Do You Say Your Name?
Chapter 10 David Wang, Beyond the Golden Door
Chapter 11 Phuong Do, A Girl Called Hoai
Chapter 12 IV. Living in Two Worlds: A Bicultural Identity
Chapter 13 Sayuri Mori, Finding Myself
Chapter 14 Monica Jahan Bose, Multiple Identities
Chapter 15 Shay Sheth, An Indian Boy in American Clothes
Chapter 16 V. Blending In: Weak Attachments to the Ethnic Group
Chapter 17 Eriberto P. Lozada Jr., What Being Filipino American Means to Someone Called Fuji
Chapter 18 Joel de la Fuente, An (Asian American) Actor's Life
Chapter 19 Jean Hotta, My Own Family
Chapter 20 VI. A New World: The First Generation Experience
Chapter 21 Lakshmi Malroutu, The Balancing Act
Chapter 22 Margaret Y.M. Kan, Reaching the Glass Ceiling...at Home
Chapter 23 Hoang Diem Hau, An Unwilling Refugee
Chapter 24 Conclusion
Chapter 25 Bibliography

Editorial Reviews

Few empirical studies had been done on Asian Americans in terms of personal experiences, cultural and ethnic identity, social status and economic conditions in the mainstream white society before this collection of 15 autobiographical essays....The most significant value of this collection is that it brings to light several common issues: racial prejudice and discrimination, interest in and criticism of ethnic subcultures, assimilation, and the search for one's ethnic identity.

Multicultural Review - Suping Lu Suping Lu

Struggle for Ethnic Identity is a welcome and valuable resource that brings out the human dimensions of the Asian American experience that are too often obscured by homogenizing stereotypes.

Journal of American Ethnic History - Keith 'sajima

Few empirical studies had been done on Asian Americans in terms of personal experiences, cultural and ethnic identity, social status and economic conditions in the mainstream white society before this collection of 15 autobiographical essays....The most significant value of this collection is that it brings to light several common issues: racial prejudice and discrimination, interest in and criticism of ethnic subcultures, assimilation, and the search for one's ethnic identity.

Multicultural Review - Suping Lu

Few empirical studies had been done on Asian Americans in terms of personal experiences, cultural and ethnic identity, social status and economic conditions in the mainstream white society before this collection of 15 autobiographical essays....The most significant value of this collection is that it brings to light several common issues: racial prejudice and discrimination, interest in and criticism of ethnic subcultures, assimilation, and the search for one's ethnic identity.--Suping Lu, (University of Nebraska) "Multicultural Review "

Struggle for Ethnic Identity is a welcome and valuable resource that brings out the human dimensions of the Asian American experience that are too often obscured by homogenizing stereotypes.--Keith Osajima, (University of Redlands) "Journal of American Ethnic History "

From the Publisher

Struggle for Ethnic Identity is a welcome and valuable resource that brings out the human dimensions of the Asian American experience that are too often obscured by homogenizing stereotypes.

Journal of American Ethnic History - Keith Osajima

Few empirical studies had been done on Asian Americans in terms of personal experiences, cultural and ethnic identity, social status and economic conditions in the mainstream white society before this collection of 15 autobiographical essays....The most significant value of this collection is that it brings to light several common issues: racial prejudice and discrimination, interest in and criticism of ethnic subcultures, assimilation, and the search for one's ethnic identity.
— Suping Lu, (University of Nebraska)

Multicultural Review

Struggle for Ethnic Identity is a welcome and valuable resource that brings out the human dimensions of the Asian American experience that are too often obscured by homogenizing stereotypes.
— Keith 'sajima, (University of Redlands)

Journal of American Ethnic History