Asian American Politics: ÿLaw, Participation, and Policy

Asian American Politics: ÿLaw, Participation, and Policy. InÿAsian American Politics: ÿLaw, Participation, and Policy, Nakanishi and Lai discuss the growing APA (Asian Pacific American) population and the challenges of constructing and maintaining “pan-ethnic coalitions” among APAs.ÿ InÿRace, Rights, and the Asian American Experience, Angelo Ancheta (both in the preface and introduction) discuss the concept of ?Asian? and ?Asian American.?).ÿ Also, see class lecture for further elaboration.(In theÿrecommended readings,ÿÿAsian American Politicsÿby Aoki & Takeda, (Chapter 2), one of your required texts, the authors discuss the concept of “ethnicity,” ÿ”pan-ethnicity” and “identity.”) ÿBy incorporating the first lecture on the history of ethnic studies and Asian American studies, as well as APA historical timelines, discuss the important role of understanding what it means to be Asian American or Asian Pacific American (APA) as a “pan-ethnic group.” ÿ How does being part of a larger “pan-ethnic” group enhance and assist Asian Pacific Americans? ÿHow does it minimize or hinder Asian Pacific Americans? ÿÿIncorporate your own personal ancestry (whether you are of Asian ancestry, Pacific Islander ancestry or not) into how the organization of “ethnicity” and “pan-ethnicity” as well as your “ethnic identity” (and”pan-ethnic” identity)ÿinform and influence how you understand yourself *and* how you understand what it means to be Asian Pacific American (Asian American, Pacific Islander) in the United States. ÿWhat is “ethnicity?” ÿHow is it different from or connected to “race?” ÿWhat is “pan-ethnicity?” Are APA’s an ethnic group? ÿracial group? ÿpan-ethnic group? ÿWhat is the difference betweenÿ(if any) being part of an ethnic group, being part of a pan-ethnic group, being part of a race, *and* having an ethnic identity?ÿÿWhat are the similaritiesÿ(if any) of ÿbeing part of an ethnic group, being part of a pan-ethnic group, being part of a race, *and* having an ethnic identity? ÿGive examples about yourself or others you know. ÿThey can be personal examples or examples of others you know (or from the media). ÿSupport your positions. ÿWhen stating opinions, they must be “informed opinions.”ÿÿBe sure they can be supported with logic, reason, and evidence

Asian American Politics: ÿLaw, Participation, and Policy