Are Asian American Becoming White - Essay Example

Whether the individuals were born in the country or were raised there, they still face the same challenges as the minority community. Some of the difficulties they face include obtaining an education, jobs, and affordable health care, unlike white individuals. Asian Americans, who are desperate for acceptance, go to enormous lengths to be counted as white and marry into the white population to accomplish this feat. Asian Americans, as well as their minority counterparts, are always under constant pressure to prove that they are indeed loyal Americans and not foreigners (Zhou, 2004).

This can be blamed on the increasing rate of globalization that has led to an increase in immigrants. Stereotypes also play a huge part in the negative depiction of the minority community. The white community is defined by their refined culture and fluent English. If this is the criteria used to be called American then the minority community does not qualify. Asian Americans have had to work hard for their accomplishments and wealth. They have done so through their persistence in overcoming extreme hardships and discrimination and have surpassed some of the U-S born whites.

What surprises many is that they have accomplished a lot without anybody`s help, and the country`s media and press attribute this success to their discipline, hard work, family solidarity, and non-confrontation. Some of the second generation Americans have maintained their culture despite all the difficulties they face (Zhou, 2004). The Asian, who was born and raised in the United States, tend to identify more with the western culture than those who have recently migrated to the country. The Asian Americans who have recently immigrated to the country tend to identify themselves with their country of origin.

The Asians who identify themselves as white are considered traitors to their country of origin and selling out their ethnicity.