Summary Notes: The Making of Asian America

Introduction to the Making of Asian America

• Asian Americans constitute approximately 6% of the U.S. population, totaling 19.5 million individuals.

• Between 2000 and 2010, the Asian American population increased by 46%, making them the fastest-growing group in the U.S.

• They are increasingly settling in both traditional immigrant hubs (e.g., New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles) and new destinations (e.g., Atlanta, Las Vegas, Houston, Phoenix, Minneapolis-St. Paul).

• The book "The Making of Asian America" aims to elucidate the history and impact of Asian Americans on American life.

• Asian immigrants have sought work, economic opportunities, freedom from persecution, and new beginnings in the U.S.

• Over the past half-century, shifts in immigration policies, refugee resettlement following Southeast Asian conflicts, and amplified globalization trends have spurred increased Asian immigration.

Early Examples of Asian American Journeys

• Afong Moy: The first Chinese woman recorded in the U.S., arriving in New York in 1834.

• Jacinto Quintin de la Cruz: Led Filipinos to establish Manila Village in Barataria Bay, Louisiana.

• Chinese laborers sought fortune in the California Gold Rush.

• Shizu Hayakawa: A Japanese “picture bride” who immigrated to marry a man she had never met in 1919.

• Whang Sa Sun and Chang Tai Sun: Korean refugees who fled Japanese rule around 1919.

• Vaishno Bagai: An Indian nationalist who sought freedom in the U.S. with his family.

• Francisco Carino: Inspired by stories of American riches, he immigrated from the Philippines in the 1920s.

Post-World War II and Contemporary Immigration

• Increased immigration of family members, students, and professionals after World War II and during the Cold War.

• Chiyoko Toguchi Swartz: Married an American soldier and moved from Okinawa in 1966.

• Kang Ok Jim/Deann Borshay: Adopted from Korea and raised in Palo Alto starting in 1966.

• Le Tan Si: Fled Vietnam with his family in 1979 due to persecution.

• Yeng Xiong: Joined the Hmong exodus from Laos after the communist takeover in 1979.

• Han Chol Hong: A Korean engineer who opened a store in South Central Los Angeles in 1983 after struggling to find work.

• Vicki Diaz: A Filipina housekeeper in LA supporting her family back home.

• Rashni Bhatnagar: Immigrated from India to join her husband, an IT worker on a temporary visa.

• Chinese students represent the largest group of international students in the U.S.

Diversity within Asian America

• Asian Americans trace their roots to East, South, and Southeast Asia.

• There is significant diversity among Asian Americans, representing twenty-four distinct groups.

• Before World War II, the largest Asian American communities were Chinese and Japanese, with notable numbers of South Asians, Koreans, and Filipinos.

• Post-1965 immigration has brought greater diversity, including immigrants from China, Korea, the Philippines, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, as well as refugees from Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos.

• Differences in origin, immigration status, generational status, class, religion, and gender contribute to distinct experiences.

Shared Experiences and Connections

• Despite diversity, Asian Americans share similarities and connections.

• The experiences of previous generations have shaped the present-day Asian American landscape.

• New immigration offers fresh perspectives on the past.

• Asian American history is multifaceted and lacks a single narrative.

Historical Roots and Global Context

• Asian American history predates the United States and is rooted in world history.

• Asia and the Americas were connected through European colonization and global trade after Christopher Columbus.

• Spanish trading ships (

Introduction to the Making of Asian America

• Asian Americans constitute approximately 6% of the U.S. population, totaling 19.5 million individuals. This percentage reflects a significant demographic shift and increasing presence in American society.

• Between 2000 and 2010, the Asian American population increased by 46%, making them the fastest-growing group in the U.S. This growth rate is attributed to various factors, including immigration policies, economic opportunities, and family reunification.

• They are increasingly settling in both traditional immigrant hubs (e.g., New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles) and new destinations (e.g., Atlanta, Las Vegas, Houston, Phoenix, Minneapolis-St. Paul). This dispersal indicates broader economic and social integration into various regions of the country.

• The book "The Making of Asian America" aims to elucidate the history and impact of Asian Americans on American life, providing a comprehensive overview of their experiences and contributions.

• Asian immigrants have sought work, economic opportunities, freedom from persecution, and new beginnings in the U.S. These motivations underscore the diverse push and pull factors influencing immigration patterns.

• Over the past half-century, shifts in immigration policies, refugee resettlement following Southeast Asian conflicts, and amplified globalization trends have spurred increased Asian immigration. Policy changes such as the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 have significantly altered the demographic landscape.

Early Examples of Asian American Journeys

• Afong Moy: The first Chinese woman recorded in the U.S., arriving in New York in 1834. Her presence marks an early example of Chinese immigration and the introduction of Chinese culture to America.

• Jacinto Quintin de la Cruz: Led Filipinos to establish Manila Village in Barataria Bay, Louisiana. This settlement represents one of the earliest Filipino communities in the U.S. and highlights their contributions to American society.

• Chinese laborers sought fortune in the California Gold Rush, playing a crucial role in the development of the American West. The Gold Rush attracted many Asian immigrants seeking economic opportunities.

• Shizu Hayakawa: A Japanese “picture bride” who immigrated to marry a man she had never met in 1919. “Picture brides” were part of a unique immigration pattern that shaped early Japanese communities in America.

• Whang Sa Sun and Chang Tai Sun: Korean refugees who fled Japanese rule around 1919. Their journey exemplifies the political and social factors driving Korean immigration during the early 20th century.

• Vaishno Bagai: An Indian nationalist who sought freedom in the U.S. with his family. His story represents the quest for political and social freedom among early South Asian immigrants.

• Francisco Carino: Inspired by stories of American riches, he immigrated from the Philippines in the 1920s, showcasing the economic motivations behind Filipino immigration.

Post-World War II and Contemporary Immigration

• Increased immigration of family members, students, and professionals after World War II and during the Cold War. These waves of immigration were influenced by geopolitical events and evolving U.S. immigration policies.

• Chiyoko Toguchi Swartz: Married an American soldier and moved from Okinawa in 1966, illustrating the personal connections that facilitated immigration after the war.

• Kang Ok Jim/Deann Borshay: Adopted from Korea and raised in Palo Alto starting in 1966. Korean adoption became a significant aspect of post-war immigration patterns.

• Le Tan Si: Fled Vietnam with his family in 1979 due to persecution, highlighting the impact of the Vietnam War on refugee resettlement in the U.S.

• Yeng Xiong: Joined the Hmong exodus from Laos after the communist takeover in 1979. The Hmong refugee crisis led to the establishment of Hmong communities across the U.S.

• Han Chol Hong: A Korean engineer who opened a store in South Central Los Angeles in 1983 after struggling to find work. His experience reflects the challenges and entrepreneurial spirit of Korean immigrants.

• Vicki Diaz: A Filipina housekeeper in LA supporting her family back home. Her story underscores the economic contributions of Filipino workers and the phenomenon of transnational families.

• Rashni Bhatnagar: Immigrated from India to join her husband, an IT worker on a temporary visa. The influx of Indian IT professionals has significantly shaped the U.S. tech industry.

• Chinese students represent the largest group of international students in the U.S., contributing to academic and cultural exchange.

Diversity within Asian America

• Asian Americans trace their roots to East, South, and Southeast Asia, encompassing a broad geographical range and cultural heritage.

• There is significant diversity among Asian Americans, representing twenty-four distinct groups, each with unique languages, customs, and histories.

• Before World War II, the largest Asian American communities were Chinese and Japanese, with notable numbers of South Asians, Koreans, and Filipinos. These groups established early foundations for Asian American identity and community.

• Post-1965 immigration has brought greater diversity, including immigrants from China, Korea, the Philippines, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, as well as refugees from Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. This influx has created a vibrant mosaic of Asian cultures in America.

• Differences in origin, immigration status, generational status, class, religion, and gender contribute to distinct experiences, highlighting the complexity of Asian American identity.

Shared Experiences and Connections

• Despite diversity, Asian Americans share similarities and connections, such as experiences with discrimination, cultural adaptation, and the pursuit of the American dream.

• The experiences of previous generations have shaped the present-day Asian American landscape, influencing contemporary identity and activism.

• New immigration offers fresh perspectives on the past, revitalizing cultural traditions and community bonds.

• Asian American history is multifaceted and lacks a single narrative, reflecting the diverse and evolving nature of the Asian American experience.

Historical Roots and Global Context

• Asian American history predates the United States and is rooted in world history, with connections to ancient trade routes, colonial encounters, and global migration patterns.

• Asia and the Americas were connected through European colonization and global trade after Christopher Columbus.

• Spanish trading ships