Asian American immigrants - Assignment Example

Asian American immigrants The on Asian American immigration was as interesting just as it was exploratory. Among the fundamental concepts that I learnt in the course included, the fact that The Asian Americans faced numerous challenges as the immigrated into the United States and became naturalized citizens. However, Asian Americans have occupied a region that later became the United States from as early as the 16th century. It therefore became ironical that they faced numerous difficulties integrating into the society.

The immigration and settlement of Asian Americans in the country validated the formulation of numerous legislations and court rulings both of which sought to restrict and expand immigration from Asia thereby creating the environment experienced by the Asian American minority groups. Key among the legislations was Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which sought to stop further immigration from China. Asiatic Barred Zone Act of 1917 sought to stop immigration into the United States especially from Asian countries.

Luce–Celler Act of 1946 resumed the naturalization rights to Asian Americans. Court rulings on the other hand included United States v. Wong Kim Ark in 1898 in which the court ruled that a Chinese immigrant was an American citizen. The ruling did not apply the Chinese Exclusion Act owing to the 14th amendment (Takaki 121). Among the questions I have following the above understanding include: What factors compelled the majority white legislators to make some of the legislations especially those that limited the immigration of Asian American and what factors necessitated the revision of such laws?

How did the Asian Americans secure their place as the “model minority image” despite the numerous challenges? Model minority Model minority is a term used in reference to minority group whether religious, racial or ethnic whose members have succeeded in creating a perception of socio economic success about them. In the United States, the Asian American minorities are an example of a model minority. Most of the Asian Americans immigrated into the United States during the agrarian revolution when they sought to work as unskilled laborers in the farms.

They later worked in the railway among other sectors of the American economy that offered them employment at the time. Within the last 100 years, the perception about Asian Americans changed from being poor uneducated laborers to educated and hardworking minority group whose members are in the upper middle class. However, such a perception is a stereotype that obscures the diversity of circumstances among most of the Asian American communities such as the Chinese Americans. The model minority stereotype is a hasty generalization of the groups that makes poor members of the society vulnerable (Lee 78).

Furthermore, the group does not enjoy effective political representation a feature that portrays their vulnerability. Interactions between the Asian Americans and the whites have often turned violent a feature that portrays the extent of discrimination in the country despite the changing perception about the minority group. As statistics, continue to show that Asian Americans have better education and better lifestyles, a section of the group live in poverty. Such people therefore face harsh economic features owing to the belief that the group is doing better than any other group and do not therefore require any affirmative actions.

Work citedLee, Stacey J. Unraveling the "model Minority" Stereotype: Listening to Asian American Youth. New York: Teachers College Press, 2009. Print.Takaki, Ronald T. Strangers at the Gates Again: Asian American Immigration After 1965. New York: Chelsea House, 1995. Print.