Are Asian Americans Politically Apathetic? If so. why?

No one seriously addressed it?

I did exactly as the poster requested and put forward an issue in which an entire Asian community suffered precisely because of not being active and represented politically.

I was pretty serious when I said that.

 

^ LOL ... yeah right.

 

There are dirt poor Asians. They work in part time factories or workshops along with other poor people. They can't speak English at all, and they're exploited and underrepresented. It's just that it doesn't fit with the neat and convenient race-baiting portrait of a model minority.

Asians really are less likely to complain. There's an ingrained collective pride that prevents a lot of them from begging on the streets, if only because the world most came from had worse conditions and no jobs to offer.

That was then. Now, that generalization is slowly changing. With globalization, native countries are improving in quality of living. More rich parents send their spoiled kids here to study. Plus 2nd and 3rd+ generation children usually know about the harsh life in post WW2 Asia through fragmented stories, if at all.

There's a continuing identity crisis among all Asians that won't be resolved anytime soon. On one side, some recent gen. Asians have embraced assimilation completely. English is their primary language, and they're open to dating other ethnicities...which is a big thing if you originally lived in Asia or the non-Western world. Their parents' tradition or cultures are mere archaic afterthoughts.

Another is the traditionalist who most likely wasn't born here, but immigrated at an early age. They enjoy America's quality of living, education, and adequate ethnic enclaves, but most likely, they'll return home or split half their time here and there.

Yet another group is the Asian American who has learned both aspects of cultures, and who turns one or the other on with a mental switch because they haven't fused both into a wholly different identity. Part of that is because of the fundamental dichotomies against East and West culture. Most prominent example, familial collectivism versus liberal independence. Besides, a lot of the differences are sometimes embarrassing with the other side.

This doesn't even factor in the diverse nationalities with their own detail to culture.

The different approaches to grasp with living in America is why we are hard to define and why there isn't a singular voice to appeal and mobilize Asians as a whole. It can't be assumed anymore that the Asian American is the direct extension of their original country. I think that assumption will be maintained as China's and Asia's overall influence grows. If we head into a cold conflict with China. All Asian Americans will start having a political opinion...likely in reaction the remaining Americans' opinions about China.

 

I don't think Asian Americans are especially more politically apathetic. I think its Americans in general don't really care to vote. Just look at turnout numbers. Its below 50%. I think part of the reason most people don't care to vote, is there is simply nothing they can really complain about. (Or until now). But Asians have made recent strides as seen in local politics and people like Bobby Jindal in Louisiana.

 

What are you talking about? You dont' think that happened?

It happened and the reason was precisely lack of involvement by the Korean community. You can check with the KW Lee center for leadership if you have any questions. They were among the organizers of the program I attended that addressed this.

 

Not sure but didn't Washington state used to have an Asian-American governor at one point? I wouldn't mind seeing some more Asian-American leaders......some Native American ones, too....more diversity the better....

Anyways, I just wanna to take this opportunity to also say that the Asian-American chick from the 'Scotty Doesn't Know' video was smokin hot

 

Gary Locke

 

I agree that we shouldn't generalize Asians as we are such a large group but to explain the statistics. Part of the reason why Asian-Americans as a group might seem more politically apathetic I think has to do with that most of the Asians here are a self-selected group mostly made up of well educated people with a strong entrepeneurial drive. At the same time as immigrants Asian groups have often stuck to their own people and culture rather than fully embrace US society while immigrants from repressive societies tend to distrust government. Second and third generation Asian Americans though seem to not have much of a problem participating and if you look at Japanese Americans, who have a more substantial history in the US than other groups, there are many who are both actively involved in politics including several holding elected office in the US Congress. As time goes on you will likely see more Chinese, Koreans, Vietnamese and other Asians holding higher offices.

Also for anyone who thinks that Asians aren't inclined to get involved with politics because they are quiet and don't like to rock the boat should check out Taiwanese and Korean politics where there legislature often makes the US congress look like a garden tea party.

 

So true.

 

Sure. The GOP... the party that brought us the Patriot Act and numerous other curbs on our freedoms, record debt, record budget deficits, and record growth in government. Trader_J, enjoying his life in Bizarro World.



Impeach Bush.