DB

Asian and Pacific

Islander Oppression

Asian Americans•Asian: origins in the original peoples of the • East Asia • (Far East)

• Southeast Asia • South Asia • (Indian Subcontinent) • Sometimes refered to

as Desi • Central Asia • Middle East

East Asia

South Asia

Southeast Asia

Central Asia

Middle East

Pacific Islander

Asian Americans • 5.6% of US, 2% of OK (2017) • Comprises the group of greatest

diversity including: • Japanese • Vietnamese • Korean • Filipino • Chinese • Indian

• Historical Policy Vulnerabilities: • Internment • Religious bigotry • School segregation • Immigration Quotas

Ambassador Nikki Haley

Senator Tammy Duckworth

Dr. David HoAnn Curry

Jimmy Choo

Apollo Ohno Mindy Kaling

US Asian Population

Asian Americans • Tend to group in urban centers

• Allows for availability and accessibility of services

• Presentation of problems, demeanor and behavior different from mainstream • May not be accurately assessed for by helping

professionals • Must account for collectivist versus

individualist influences

• Ways in which Asian people differ • Immigration history • Culture • Belief systems • Family structures • Attitudes about help seeking • Support systems available to Asian clients • Degrees of individual and family integration

to the local community

Immigration & Resettlement • Level of adaptation of immigrants and refugees

differs: • How recently they came • The circumstances of leaving home countries • Differential resettlement processes after entering US

• Unlike European immigrants, Asian immigrants had to: • Learn a lifestyle • Learn a new alphabet • Learn a new societal orientation • Learn a foreign language • Face rampant anti-Asian immigration policy

Chinese • First influx of Asian immigrants during mid-1800s due

to California gold rush • Taiping Revolution of 1850: immigrants escaping from

poverty • Became a threat when the US economy receded

• Lead to violent attacks and expulsion • Chinese popularized opium smoking

• Blamed for corrupting Americans • Led to Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882

• Maintained traditional ways of life within urban enclaves for safety • Recent immigrants seek family unification and

professional or technical positions

Japanese • Early 1900’s Meiji Revolution

- Political reform (from Feudal to Democracy) - Economic reform (from Agrarian economy to

Industrialization)

• As population grew, so did anti-Japanese sentiment: • Laws limiting immigration • Restricting land ownership • Disqualified eligibility for naturalization • Prohibiting inter-racial marriage • Community expulsion

• WWII results in Japanese internment o A mass evacuation and imprisonment for suspicion of

loyalties to Japan o Loss of business and personal property o Fostered mutual support in starting over, again

Filipino • First again immigrants, but exploded in 1900’s • The Philippines under control of US or Spain

• Under US control Filipino’s have limited rights as members of US colony

• 1924 Gentleman’s agreement between the U.S. and Japan • Stopped the flow of Japanese • Increased demand for labor (Filipinos)

• 1965 and 1990 immigration waves: • New immigrants were educated and highly skilled but

underemployed • Did not have their own ethnic community due to lack

of • Protection, solidarity, mutual aid and economic supports

Koreans

• Began in early 1900’s • Immigrated to escape war,

disease, and famine • Laborers

• Lumber industry

• National Origins Act • Asian immigrations cease until 1965

• Most recent influx • New York City

Southeast Asians • Rapid increase after Fall of Saigon in 1975 • Primary motivators were war and poverty • Men, women & children • Refugee resettlement program scattered

throughout US • Making acculturation and assimilation difficult and

traumatic

• Lack of social supports in the community • High rates of mental heath problems • Low rates of access • Cultural perceptions of mental illness and

treatment

India • Increased from 1960’s forward due to: • Removal of national-origin quotas • Established temporary skilled worker programs • Employment based visas • Population density • Poverty

• Compared to other Asian and immigrant groups tend to have higher: • Rates of higher education degrees and advanced

degrees • Higher incomes • Rates of Health insurance

Norms, Beliefs, and Cultural Stereotypes • Model Minority: the ideal minority

immigrant characterized by: • Upward mobility- high levels of education and

employment • Avoiding mainstream social confrontations and

conflict • Few social problems (Delinquency, mental

health, substance use)

• Facts: • Levels of education and job status vary across

groups • Former refugees have not recovered from forced

downward shift in occupation and pay • The gap between the wealthy and poor has

increased

Asian Beliefs in **Very Broad Generalities** • Remember that there are many differences among

individuals within groups. • Culture is bound by geography, nationality, history, etc. • Differences in cultural practices and meanings are to be

expected • In general there are similar attitudes, values, and behaviors • Vast religious diversity vs. Judeo-Christian beliefs

• Emphasis on collectivism versus individualism • Moderation and harmony with people and environment

• Cultural values • Responsibility to others • Interdependence • Restraint • Moderation • Group achievement

Asian Beliefs in **Very Broad Generalities** • Value education

• Education is a family matter • Educational failure is too

• Different acculturation rates produce family conflict o Role reversal- Child assuming adult roles o Peer influence- peers over parents

• Downward social mobility • Training & skills are not sufficient for American labor market

• Difficulties in public school • Lack of parental support with homework, placement in a lower grade

than age-appropriate class, perception of peers as mean • Children perceived as withdrawn rather than polite • Face negative social attitudes conveyed by teachers, or rejection and

teasing from peers

• Emphasis on reserved emotional expression and internalization of strong feelings o Issues (problems) are not discussed outside of family

members o Maintain peace and harmony among family members o Self control in expression of emotions and feelings

o Can lead to perception of denial

• Avoidance of shame o Individual’s socially unacceptable behavior = a family shame o Rebellion, substance abuse, delinquent behavior, and poor

school achievement = Family failure

Asian Beliefs in **Very Broad Generalities**

Mental Health Problems & Treatment Seeking • Lifetime prevalence and factors

associated with mental health vary by: • Gender and ethnic origins • The third generation reported

highest rates of psychiatric disorders • Only 1 in 3 access treatment for mental

health or substance use • Lack of service utilization could be due

to use of herbal preparations for mental and physical health problems • Particularly among Chinese