What Does National Origin Mean for Asian Americans?

• In Event: Race, Gender, Ethnicity, and Views of/by Asian Americans

Abstract

What does national origin mean for Asian Americans? Despite the recent spike of Asian American literature, little is known about how Asian Americans grapple with their panethnic and national origin identities. This study uses a qualitative approach to provide an in-depth understanding of national origin identity for Asian Americans. The evidence suggests that national origin and its associated culture, politics, and languages have important meanings for Asian Americans, especially among the first generations. This study contributes to furthering our understanding of Asian Americans by shading lights on their national origin identity and how it is politically consequential.

Author

• Yat To Yeung, George Washington University