The contemporary trends in immigration have significantly changed the population ratio of Asian Americans, as well as their attitude to this ethnicity group. Racial issues precisely concern Chinese, Indian, Japanese, and Filipino immigrants who had to undergo the pressure on the part of the white population in the United States.
The first waves of immigrants from Asian countries started in the sixteenth century, when Filipinos moved to the territory of the United States. Further movements date back to the nineteenth century, when Chinese and Japanese people migrated in the pursuit of better life. The history demonstrates that the immigration process was a challenge for ethnic groups due to the racist principles according to which all minorities were treated.
The first Chinese communities arrived in the United States had to apply for low-paid jobs because of the discriminative policy. Currently, the racist trends in perceiving ethnic communities have transformed in more favorable trends of full acceptance and equal participation of Asian American in societal activities.
Despite the positive changes, some immigrants are less encouraged to assimilate in American society in case it would mean abandoning Asian cultural heritage and joining the mainstream. More importantly, the minority groups are reluctant to acknowledge the American values and norms because it never provides Asian immigrants with superior status in society.
Asian Americans are often considered to be so-called forgotten minority, which creates the starting point for discussing many political, cultural, and economic obstacles for Asian Americans. Although this ethnic group is the fastest-growing population, its strength and political potential cannot be fulfilled.
Such a perspective is explained by the permanently shaped stereotypes about the Asian community as a model minority, which creates challenges preventing the group from taking part in U.S. elections and political life.
Asian Americans are also regarded as the emerging minorities because most of the representatives prefer maintaining strong bonds with their original culture to assimilating with the U.S. population for advancing their living standards. Nevertheless, the possibility of treating Asians equality with the white community is premised on the acceptance of the U.S. nation as the one that recognizes cultural diversity.
There is also a counterargument rejecting the flexibility of the U.S citizens. In spite of the controversies, the Asian American movement has been delineated from the mainstream society, as well as from the traditional Asian community due to their excellent adaptability skills.
Therefore, it is logical to assert that Asian American community possesses a completely different image that is distinguished from other minority groups due to their diligence, strong family values, and discipline. The emerged stereotypes testify to the positive influence of racial diversity.
In conclusion, the U.S. history of Asian American movement introduces similar tendencies in perceiving and accepting the new ethnic groups arriving in the United States. In this respect, the nineteenth century was marked by unequal treatment of the newcomers due to the challenges they face while seeking for well-paid jobs.
Stereotypic thinking prevented the dominant society from recognizing ethnic minorities and, as a result, racial discrimination resulted in cultural, political, and social barriers for the minority groups.
In the course of time, the image of Asian American community has changed dramatically because it has separated both from the Asian people and from the U.S. population. The new ethnic identity has been shaped, and its new image differs from other minority groups by discipline, strong values, and commitment to traditions.