Forever Foreigners or Honorary Whites?: The Asian Ethnic Experience Today / Edition 1

by Mia Tuan

Overview

What does it mean to be an Asian-American in the United States today? Are Asian-Americans considered "honorary whites" or forever thought of as "foreigners?"

Mia Tuan examines the salience and meaning of ethnicity for later generation Chinese- and Japanese-Americans, and asks how their concepts of ethnicity differ from that of white ethnic Americans. She interviewed 95 middle-class Chinese and Japanese Californians and analyzes the importance of ethnic identities and the concept of becoming a "real" American for both Asian and white ethnics. She asks her subjects about their early memories and experiences with Chinese/Japanese culture; current lifestyle and emerging cultural practices; experiences with racism and discrimination; and  attitudes toward current Asian immigration.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780813526249
Publisher:	Rutgers University Press
Publication date:	03/01/1999
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	216
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

MIA TUAN is an assistant professor of sociology at the University of Oregon.

Table of Contents

Tables and Figures 
Acknowledgments
"The Ethnic Game"
1 Introduction
2 Racialized Ethnics Compared to White Ethnics: Visiting the Theoretical Debates
3 Cars, Girls, and Baseball—but with an Asian Twist: Growing Up Asian Ethnic
4 "I knew that I was different": Childhood Neighborhood Influences
5 "Practicality always steps in": The Continuing Erosion of Cultural Traditions in Adulthood
6 "I'm an American with a Japanese look": Emerging Identities and Practices
7 Conclusion: The Racialized Ethnic Experience
Appendix A. Interview Questionnaire
Appendix B. List of Responsibilities
Notes
Bibliography
Index

What People are Saying About This

Yen Le Espiritu

"This well-written book advances our understanding of the changing and situational construction of American and ethnic identities by exploring the ways in which multigenerational Asian Americans constitute, express, and transform their identities." -

Yen Le Espiritu, author of Asian American Women and Men: Labor, Laws and Love.

Herbert Gans

"A compelling account of the ongoing acculturation of West Coast Asian Americans and their continuing experience of racism. Mia Tuan uses her sociological skills to paint a disturbing portrait of the hidden and not-so-hidden injuries of race suffered by Californians who have not been here for many generations, as well as an early warning of what the future might hold for some of our newest immigrants."

- Herbert Gans, Robert S. Lynd Professor of Sociology, Columbia University.

Editorial Reviews

Mia Tuan investigates the role of ethnicity in the lives of later-generation Asian Americans. As the title suggests, the study engages the debate over the applicability of the white ethnic assimilation paradigm in addressing the experiences of racialized ethnic minorities. Tuan concludes that Asian Americans can choose the cultural practices and values they wish to maintain in their private lives but cannot escape identification in ethnic and racial terms when in public. . . . Tuan's study allows later-generation Asian Americans to convey their experiences. Their stories and opinions provide an understanding of the changes occurring in one segment of contemporary Asian America.

Journal of American Ethnic History

This well-written book advances our understanding of the changing and situational construction of American and ethnic identities by exploring the ways in which multigenerational Asian Americans constitute, express, and transform their identities.

Yen Le Espiritu of Asian American Women and Men: Labor

Tuan's book is a major contribution to Asian American studies because she lets her respondents speak. . . . Her thesis is clear: that no matter where Asian Americans go they cannot hide from their race and ethnicity. In addition, Tuan provides a picture to how a pan-ethnic Asian American cultural experience emerges not from a common cultural tradition, but through a common experience of racialization. Tuan's book is essential reading for those that conduct research and teach on the experiences of American born Asians.

Journal of Asian American Studies

A compelling account of the ongoing acculturation of West Coast Asian Americans and their continuing experience of racism. Mia Tuan uses her sociological skills to paint a disturbing portrait of the hidden and not-so-hidden injuries of race suffered by Californians who have been here form many generations, as well as an early warning of what the future might hold for some of our newest immigrants.

Roberts S. Lynd Professor of Sociology, Columbia University - Herbert Gans

Forever Foreigners or Honorary Whites? informs the reader of the racialized ethnic experiences as felt and lived by third-plus-generation Chinese and Japanese Americans and California. To question the plethora of 'ethnic options' for Asian Americans, Tuan opens the book with one of the most alarming examples—the Ito D'Amato incident—that blatantly denigrates Americans of Asian descent as 'foreigners.'. . . the analytical contrast between modernizers and traditionalists provides a consistent integrating theme that enhances the book's usefulness in advanced undergraduate or graduate courses.

Social Forces

A compelling account of the ongoing acculturation of West Coast Asian Americans and their continuing experience of racism. Mia Tuan uses her sociological skills to paint a disturbing portrait of the hidden and not-so-hidden injuries of race suffered by Californians who have been here form many generations, as well as an early warning of what the future might hold for some of our newest immigrants.--Herbert Gans "Roberts S. Lynd Professor of Sociology, Columbia University"

Forever Foreigners or Honorary Whites? informs the reader of the racialized ethnic experiences as felt and lived by third-plus-generation Chinese and Japanese Americans and California. To question the plethora of æethnic optionsÆ for Asian Americans, Tuan opens the book with one of the most alarming examplesùthe Ito DÆAmato incidentùthat blatantly denigrates Americans of Asian descent as æforeigners.Æ. . . the analytical contrast between modernizers and traditionalists provides a consistent integrating theme that enhances the bookÆs usefulness in advanced undergraduate or graduate courses.-- "Social Forces"

Mia Tuan investigates the role of ethnicity in the lives of later-generation Asian Americans. As the title suggests, the study engages the debate over the applicability of the white ethnic assimilation paradigm in addressing the experiences of racialized ethnic minorities. Tuan concludes that Asian Americans can choose the cultural practices and values they wish to maintain in their private lives but cannot escape identification in ethnic and racial terms when in public. . . . TuanÆs study allows later-generation Asian Americans to convey their experiences. Their stories and opinions provide an understanding of the changes occurring in one segment of contemporary Asian America.-- "Journal of American Ethnic History"

This well-written book advances our understanding of the changing and situational construction of American and ethnic identities by exploring the ways in which multigenerational Asian Americans constitute, express, and transform their identities.--Yen Le Espiritu "Author of Asian American Women and Men: Labor, Laws, and Love"

TuanÆs book is a major contribution to Asian American studies because she lets her respondents speak. . . . Her thesis is clear: that no matter where Asian Americans go they cannot hide from their race and ethnicity. In addition, Tuan provides a picture to how a pan-ethnic Asian American cultural experience emerges not from a common cultural tradition, but through a common experience of racialization. TuanÆs book is essential reading for those that conduct research and teach on the experiences of American born Asians.-- "Journal of Asian American Studies"

From the Publisher

Examines the meaning of ethnicity for later-generation Chinese and Japanese Americans, and asks how the racialized ethnic experience differs from the white ethnic experience. Material is based on interviews with 95 middle-class Chinese and Japanese Californians, who respond to questions on experiences with Chinese and Japanese culture, current lifestyle and emerging cultural practices, experiences with racism and discrimination, and attitudes on immigration. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknew.com)

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