Relational Linked Fate and the Racial Position of Asian Americans

• In Event: 50260 - Section on Asia and Asian America Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (90 minute): Table 10: Rethinking “Asian American”: Identity, Perception, and Intra-Group Difference

Abstract

Where do Asians fit in the racial order of the U.S., and how do they situate themselves relative to other racial groups? The racial position of Asian Americans remains an ongoing debate. Some scholars argue that Asians are "becoming White" due to socioeconomic attainment and intermarriage, while others emphasize ongoing racialization, exclusion, and solidarity with other people of color. Yet, these debates often overlook the heterogeneity of the Asian American population, and how it might further complicate how they perceive their racial position.

The current study examines how Asian Americans situate themselves in relation to other racial groups by extending the concept of linked fate—the idea that individuals see their life chances as tied to those of given racial groups. Using data from the 2020 Collaborative Multiracial Post-Election Survey (CMPS), I introduce relational linked fate, which compares respondents’ sense of linked fate across racial groups to empirically assess their racial positioning. I ask: Do Asian Americans perceive themselves as aligned with Whites, other minorities, or exclusively with other Asians? How do they compare with other racial groups? How do factors such as ethnicity, immigrant generation, and socioeconomic status shape these perceptions?

Findings reveal that Asian Americans do not fit neatly into a single racial position. While some lean toward Whiteness, others identify more strongly with other minorities, and a sizable portion remain disengaged from racial positioning altogether. South Asians are more likely to align with other minorities, while East Asians in general are more likely to lean White or emphasize pan-Asian identity. Immigrant generation also matters: second-generation and 1.5-generation Asians report stronger panethnic ties, while later-generation Asians are more likely to lean White. These findings challenge singular narratives about Asian American racial incorporation, highlighting the need for future research to account for intra-Asian diversity.

Author

• Zhongze Wei, Washington University in St. Louis