Asian Americans Part 10

10. Asian Americans and the Cold War, and the Myth of the Model Minority

Asian Americans (Filipino, Korean, Chinese and Japanese Americans)

The image of Asian Americans:

• Japanese Americans → “Fifth Column”, “enemy aliens”, and “disloyal

• Chinese, South Asians, Filipinos, and Koreans → “Good Asians”

• U.S. needed to look anti-racist because it was fighting N-zi Germany.

  So the U.S. government and media:

  • Reframed Chinese, Filipinos, Koreans, and South Asians as:

    • loyal

    • friendly

    • victims of Japanese aggression

  • Especially Chinese Americans, because:

    • China was a U.S. ally against Japan

    • The U.S. wanted China’s support

• American propaganda:

• Image of the “Good Asians”

• Focus on ending racial inequality, discrimination

• “Racial liberalism”

• Celebrate successful Asian Americans

• Distinguish between “good” / “bad” Asians (Chinese wore “I am Chinese” buttons)

• Bolster the image of “American democracy” and the “American Dream” abroad

• “Model minority” image by the 1960s: → “Rise of Asian Americans”

• Obscured the inequalities and frailty of acceptance by American society

• “To Save China, to Save Ourselves” → Wartime slogan

• Chinese raising funds for war efforts and serve

• “Rice bowl parties” → $20 million collected by the WRA (War Relief Association)

“Chinese Daughters of Uncle Sam”

• its women working in defense industries

• 12,000 to 15,000 Chinese Americans (20%) served in the U.S. military

• Flying Tigers (U.S.-China air force, AVG)

• Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP)

• Defense work:

• Jobs available in shipyards and factories

Chinese Exclusion Repeal Act (Magnuson Act of 1943)

• Signed by Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt on December 17, 1943.

• Chinese immigration → Application of the quota,105 Chinese per year

• “Non-quota immigrants”: American citizens, returning residents, and their wives and children, professional classes, students

• 1947-1950: 7,500 Chinese women

• Chinese immigrants became eligible for naturalization

• Family reunification and settlement

Flying Tigers

The American Volunteer Group that fought Japan in China during WWII.
Relevance:

• Became symbols of U.S.–Chinese cooperation

• Helped improve the image of Chinese Americans in the U.S.
  What it led to: Strengthened the idea of Chinese as allies → supported repeal of exclusion laws.

Filipino Infantry Regiment

A U.S. Army unit made up of Filipino Americans and Filipinos, especially from California.
Context: Filipinos were U.S. nationals (not aliens) because the Philippines was a U.S. colony.
What it shows:

• Filipino loyalty during WWII

• Used as proof that Asian Americans could be patriotic
  What it led to: Helped justify later immigration reforms for Filipinos.

Tiger Brigade (Manghokun)

A Korean guerrilla unit that fought against Japanese forces during WWII.
Context: Korea was under Japanese colonial rule.
What it meant: Korean Americans were seen as anti-Japanese and pro-U.S., making them “Good Asians.”
What it led to: Improved political standing of Koreans during and after WWII.

“Fighting Filipinos”

A phrase used to describe Filipino soldiers and resistance fighters during WWII.
Context: Filipinos fought both as U.S. soldiers and local resistance.
Why it mattered:

• Reinforced Filipino loyalty to the U.S.

• Countered racist stereotypes
  What it led to: Helped support postwar citizenship and immigration reforms.

Luce-Celler Act (1946)

A law that allowed Filipinos and Asian Indians to:

• Naturalize

• Immigrate with a small quota (100 per year)
  Why it happened:

• Filipino and Indian wartime service

• U.S. Cold War image as a democratic leader
  Importance: Expanded citizenship rights beyond Chinese Americans.

War Brides (Act of 1945 and 1947)

Laws that allowed Asian spouses of U.S. servicemen to immigrate outside quotas.
Who benefited:

• Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, and Korean women
  What it led to:

• Ended bachelor societies

• Created Asian American families

• Changed the gender balance of Asian American communities

American Red cross brides school

Schools that trained Asian war brides in:

• English

• American customs

• Domestic life
  Purpose:

• Assimilation

• Making Asian women “acceptable” American wives
  Context: Shows conditional acceptance based on conformity.

Immigration Nationality act of 1952 (McCarran-Walter Act)

A law that abolished racial bans on naturalization.
What it did:

• Ended “aliens ineligible for citizenship”

• Kept quota system
  Why it mattered:

• Asians could finally become citizens regardless of race
  Context: Cold War pressure to appear democratic.

The Redress Movement

A movement led mainly by Japanese Americans seeking:

• Official apology

• Compensation for WWII incarceration
  Who led it: Japanese American Citizens’ League (JACL) and activists
  What it led to: Civil Liberties Act of 1988.

Civil Liberties Act of 1988

A federal law that:

• Formally apologized for Japanese American incarceration

• Paid $20,000 to each surviving internee
  Why it happened:

• Redress Movement

• Commission report Personal Justice Denied
  Importance: Official recognition of racial injustice.

“Model Minority” myth

A stereotype portraying Asian Americans as:

• Hardworking

• Quiet

• Successful

• Self-reliant
  Why it emerged:

• Cold War propaganda

• Used to prove capitalism worked
  What it hides:

• Racism

• Poverty

• Diversity within Asian communities
  Impact: Used against other minorities and to silence Asian Americans.

William Petersen

A sociologist who popularized the model minority myth.
Why he matters:

• Argued Japanese Americans succeeded because of culture, not government help

• Ignored internment and discrimination
  Impact: Gave academic legitimacy to the myth.

“Success Story, Japanese American Style”, 1966

An article by William Petersen published during the Civil Rights era.
Argument:

• Japanese Americans succeeded without protest

• Other minorities should follow their example
  Why it mattered:

• Reinforced the model minority myth

• Undermined civil rights claims.

American-born Chinese (ABCs)

Chinese Americans born in the U.S.
Context:

• Often seen as more assimilated

• Sometimes caught between cultures
  Why it matters: Shows generational differences within Chinese America.

“Fresh off the boat” Chinese (FOBs)

A slang term for recent Chinese immigrants.
Context:

• Often stereotyped as unassimilated

• Creates tension between immigrants and U.S.-born Asians
  Why it matters: Shows internal divisions shaped by immigration history.

Anti-Japanese Movement

A wave of racial hostility toward Japanese Americans, especially before and during WWII.
Causes:

• Economic competition

• Racism

• Pearl Harbor
  What it led to:

• Incarceration

• Long-term stigma even after the war.

Murder of Vincent Chin

The killing of Vincent Chin, a Chinese American man, by two white autoworkers in Detroit.
Why it happened:

• Anti-Japanese sentiment over auto industry decline

• Chin was mistaken for Japanese
  Why it matters:

• Proved Asians were still seen as foreign

• Sparked pan-Asian activism

• Exposed the limits of the model minority myth.