Write a five (5) page paper that compares and contrasts the experiences of two (2) different Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) ethnic groups across three of the course themes from the second half of class (Higher Education; Food & Cuisine; the Economy, Class, Work Lives, & Labor; Popular Culture; Political Participation, Community Organizing, and Activism; and Building a Multiracial Society for the Future).
Experiences of South Asian Americans and Chinese Americans
South Asian Americans and Chinese Americans are two ethnic groups within Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) segment in the minorities of the United States. Usually, Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) group are not studied in the study of minorities and racial groups of the United States. There are many ethnic groups within this broad segment, and these groups are considered to be very effective and useful for the progress of the United States. Although they may face discrimination overall, they are considered effective and useful in the population of the United States, but due to the lack of studies on them, it is important to study their experiences.
This paper compares and contrasts the experiences of two important ethnic groups within Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) which are South Asian Americans and Chinese Americans. South Asian Americans might be broad categories including those have the background of India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and other South Asian countries. But this paper has taken them together under South Asian Americans. The second group is Chinese Americans. These groups are going to be analyzed in light of themes and theories. Chinese Americans experience less discrimination as compared to South Asian Americans, and both of these ethnic groups have different experiences under the themes of higher education and political participation, and they are quite similar under the theme of food and cuisine (Abraham).
SELECTED THEMES AND THEORIES TO STUDY BOTH ETHNIC GROUPS:
For comparison and contrast of both ethnic groups, three themes from the course have been selected which are higher education, food and cuisine, and class. Theory of race has been used in finding the comparison and contrast of experiences of these two ethnic groups in Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI). Critical race theory has been applied which is an effective theory of race and racial attitudes of the public. Important findings have been drawn under these themes and theory.
COMPARISON AND CONTRAST OF EXPERIENCES OF SOUTH ASIAN AMERICANS AND CHINESE AMERICANS:
In the following, the comparison and contrast of both ethnic groups have been provided, and three themes have been selected in this regard. Moreover, Critical Race Theory has been applied to these segments under each theme.
Higher Education:
Experiences of South Asian Americans and Chinese Americans are very much different from each other, and these experiences are mainly related to English language proficiency and the racial discrimination in higher education in the United States. Chinese students in higher education have to face different barriers in their academic life. The language barrier is the most important which is higher than South Asian Americans. South Asian Americans do not find this barrier a lot in higher education (Tang, Kim and Haviland). However, it is reported that South Asian Americans might be ignored by teachers, and they thought that these students needed less attention. There are high expectations of teachers regarding understandability from South Asian students as compared to Chinese Students (Oramas, Gringarten and Mitchell).
However, in higher education, South Asian Americans have to face microaggressions and indignities, and they have to experience this because of their identity. Especially after 9/11, they have been considered as suspicions as well, although; they remain very peaceful in the country. In the result, South Asian students have to face psychological issues in the higher education system. On the other hand, Chinese students do not have to face such discrimination in higher education. They are not discriminated as South Asians are discriminated.
The experiences of both groups under the theme of higher education confirm critical race theory that South Asian Americans have been facing more discrimination than Chinese Americans in higher education and it is because of the color. South Asians are considered as brown people, and they are not white, while the Chinese are white. The difference between the experiences of both ethnic groups shows that white supremacy defines their experiences where color decides the way of treatment. However, it is noted that South Asians are more comfortable in higher education as they do not have language difficulties in the United States.
Food and Cuisine:
Regarding food and cuisine, the South Asian Americans and Chinese Americans have their unique experiences. The eating traditions of both ethnic groups are different because South Asian Americans use many spices in their food, and they have their style of cooking food. There are many Indian restaurants in the United States where people from South Asian background go to have dinner. On the other hand, Chinese Americans have their delicious taste in food cuisine, and they differ from South Asians as Chinese use fewer spices in their food.
Moreover, freshness and tenderness value in food items of Chinese Americans. However, due to fast food culture and American’s food and cuisine, culture has been affecting both of these ethnic segments alike. There is a growing tendency to consume fast food and American style of food and cuisine because of its convenience. However, Indians from South Asian ethnic groups do not eat meat a lot because they are mostly vegetarian. However, there has been the difference between both ethnic groups regarding their choices for food and cuisines, but their difference with overall American food culture and cuisine has been minimized (Roy).
Critical race theory is less applicable to this theme of food and cuisine, and it is because there are less racial factors involved in this theme. However, in history, there have been reports that people in America do not go to Chinese restaurants because there was a belief that they serve cats and dogs. However, overall, there is not much difference between both ethnic groups regarding racial differences. They are living a normal life with different food and cuisine choices in the United States and eating habits are going to be closer for both ethnic groups (Asian Nation).
Political Participation:
Political participation is a very important indicator of any community or racial group in a society. It is because political beliefs and affiliations define the tendencies of a group. Therefore, political participation should be analyzed. Among all the Asian Americans, 41 percent of the total population has said that they have been contacted by any party. It shows that those who have been contacted must have decided to participate in political activity. Thus, South Asian Americans show their political participation quite visibly. Asian Indians are the largest group within the South Asian American group, and 46 percent of Indian Americans are identified as Democrats and others might support Republicans, or they have decided to remain independent.
On the other hand, Chinese Americans have been identified as independent as 51 percent of Chinese Americans have chosen this category. It shows that South Asian Americans are more active regarding political participation while the Chinese do not have that level. It might be because of the background of Chinese Americans as China has the least level of political participation (National Public Radio).
The political participation and levels of participation indicate that application of critical race theory because political affiliations are in light of racial experiences. Chinese Americans have remained independent while South Asian Americans have supported the Democratic Party, which takes the stance of equality at different levels. The choice of South Asian Americans has been under the influence of the theory that they have chosen that party which guarantees protection for them. It is also noted that South Asian Americans experience racial discrimination and microaggression more than Chinese Americans. It is reflected in their choice as well as Chinese Americans have decided to remain independent. However, it cannot be said that these ethnic groups have these ideologies regarding political participation and affiliation because many South Asian Americans also support other parties, and many Chinese Americans are involved in political activities (Abraham).
CONCLUSION:
The paper concludes that Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) are not represented in the research literature, and their experiences in American society are not recorded very much. There are many ethnic groups under this main group, and each group under this broader ethnic segment might have different experiences in the United States. Two ethnic groups within Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) have been selected which are South Asian Americans and Chinese Americans. Their comparison and contrasts have been analyzed in light of three broad themes which include higher education, food and cuisine, and political participation. Both ethnic groups have shown differences in themes of higher education and political participation while there have not been many differences in the theme of food and cuisine as the broader culture of the United States has become a common culture of all ethnic groups. Critical race theory has also been applied to these ethnic groups, and the themes have confirmed the application of theory to them. The theory is about white supremacy and races of color face discrimination because of their color. It is recommended studying Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) so that their experiences can be known for all, and they can be made effective part of American society.
Work Cited
Abraham, Pavitra Susan. “Asian American Political Participation: An Analysis of the Influences on Immigrant Political Efficacy In the United States.” Deep Blue. Deep Blue, April 2015. Web.
Asian Nation. “Asian Cuisine and Foods.” Asian Nation. Asian Nation, 2018. Web.
National Public Radio. “Discrimination In America: Experiences and Views of Asian Americans.” National Public Radio. National Public Radio, November 2017. Web.
Oramas, Josefina E., Hagai Gringarten and Lloyd Mitchell. “Chinese Students in U.S. Universities: A Qualitative Study of Cross-Cultural Learning Experiences, Transition and Adaptation.” Journal of International & Interdisciplinary Business Research 5.3 (2018): 21-40.
Roy, Parama. “Culinary Fictions: Food in South Asian Diasporic Culture by Anita Mannur.” Food, Culture & Society 15.1 (2012): 157-160.
Tang, Jennifer, Simon Kim and Don Haviland. “Role of Family, Culture, and Peers in the Success of First-Generation Cambodian American College Students.” Journal of Southeast Asian American Education & Advancement 8.2013 (2013): 1-21.
+447462439809