“Asian Americans and their developments in America”Their voyage to America has been an enduring and traitorous battle. Asians in American have left their historical landmark and cultural influences in this country. Asian Americans have helped to shape t
...with small numbers of Korean and Indians began movements to the West Coast by 1885. Soon, Japanese, Koreans, and Indians had replaced the Chinese as cheap labor. Asian Americans’ history Asian Americans -------- After the Russo-Japanese War and Japan’s occupation of Korea, small numbers if Koreans left Korea heading to Hawaii and the U.S. mainland (Asian Americans... 386). Such a settlement in the United States was difficult for the Koreans to overcome. Korean immigrants, served as strike-breakers, railroad builders, and agricultural workers in America. Similar to the Japanese and Japanese, the Korean immigrants faced great trials and tribulations as they struggled to progress in America. They were racially excluded in the U.S. by Americans. At the same time, Koreans were being colonized at home in Korea by the Japanese (Asian Americans... 455). Like the majority of the Asian groups that ventured to America, South Asian Indian immigrants entered the U.S. as laborers. Many South Asian Indians migrated to the Pacific North West and California. Exclusionists soon referred to this group as the “Hindu Invasion”. In 1917, the “tide of the turbans” was outlawed. “Congress had declared that India was part of the Pacific-Barred Zone of excluded Asian countries” (Asian Americans... 524). All Asian immigrants to America had been excluded by U.S. law by 1924. In addition, Asian immigrants (except for Filipino “nationals”) were denied U.S. citizenship and naturalization. United States law also prevented them from marrying white Americans and owning land. It was during the 1920's when massive numbers of Filipinos migrated to the West Coast. Such a massive swarm was due to the annexation of the Philippines by the United States. Filipinos were now had more rights in American than ever before. In 1929 during the depression, racism and economic competition increased. Caucasian felt pressured by the Filipino Americans. Caucasians held the Filipinos responsible for taking away “their jobs” (Asian Americans... 594). Thus, Filipinos became frequent targets of anti-Filipino violence by fellow Americans. The Tiding-McDuffie Act of 1935 went into affect, placing a quota of fifty on Filipino migration (Asian Americans... 658). This act against Filipinos, like other acts against Asians effectively prevented their entry into America (Asian Americans... 658). Asian Americans have experienced countless accounts of racial discriminations, inequalities, and injustices while expediting America. Such historical events have strengthened Asian Americans as a whole (Asian Americans... 698). They have proven that they can overcome any obstacles given the right amount of time. Even during various times of extreme racial hatred, and ethnic cruelty here in America, Asian Americans have managed to survive. Although they have experienced much of this, Asian Americans have accomplished much in terms of structure. Not only have Asian Americans contributed to building the American foundation, but they have also assisted in adding to America’s cultural melting pot (Asian Americans... 752). Numerous railroads–especially those built in the West, were achieved by Asian immigrants. Railroads were once an extremely important transportation method traveled my many here in the United States. Beyond the railroad tracks, Asians have advanced significantly in the education field. Educationally, they have accomplished in large numbers, what some ethnicities have yet to fulfill. “Asian Graduation Rates Highest of all Ethnic Groups”, an article authored by Aziz Haniffa, highlights the Asian Americans’ educational forte. “Asian Americans had the highest graduation rate among all ethnic groups in 1995", Haniffa illustrates. Though Asian Americans are becoming further educated annually, they are experiencing a variety of racial and ethnic stereotypes from other ethnic groups (Asian Americans... 860). Haniffa’s article also points out that Asian American students are especially stereotyped in the math and science areas of education. They are frequently referred to as “nerds”, “Geeks”, or “dorks etc. This stereotype is a hasty generalization of Asian Americans. It was formed as society saw a high educational potential in many young Asians. A high education background in the vast majority of Asian Americans is not the only an accomplishment, but to some it has been a cultural dilemma. Some Asian American students find racial stereotypes difficult to overcome. At the same time, Asian American students continue to show excellent academic achievements (Asian Americans... 931). According to the U.S. Census Bureau, “Asian Americans are among the most educated people in the workforce”. Though this is factual, Asian American men tend to earn less of a salary than their white counterparts. “...Asian American men 25 years and older earned approximately 20 percent less than white men with similar levels of education (“What Asian...”). Perhaps a major controversy throughout Asian American communities is that poverty is not a problem. However, recent statistics taken by the census indicates that 12.4% of Asian American families live below the poverty line (U.S. Census Bureau 1996). In addition to high academic achievements by Asian Americans, they have embedded their cultural landmark on America. Over the past decades, the United States has adapted numerous influences from American Asian communit...