Human Interest

Immigrants in the U. S. from many different parts of Asia are categorized as "Asian Americans" by the general public, overlooking the considerable variations in their cultures, histories and socioeconomic status in the U. S. And from a political perspective, these diverse groups themselves form coalitions as Asian American to influence and promote social policy.  However, as this article, one of three, posted on the Voice of America website, points out, there are costs associated with the use of Asian Americans as a category to lump all people of Asian origin. Americans of Chinese ancestry, especially those from families that have been here for several generations, do not face the same problems as those who are from countries that do not have a long history of being in the U. S.