Asian American/Pacific Islander
Asian Americans are one of the fastest growing and most diverse ethnic groups in the United States and at Andrews University and currently make up 18 percent of the student body. They represent over thirty different ethnic groups and nationalities, from East, South, and Central Asia, as well as the Indian subcontinent. The phenomenal growth of the Asian American population in recent years has been mainly driven by immigration and resettlement. According to the 2010 national census, Asian Indians, Chinese, Vietnamese, Filipino, and Koreans are the five largest Asian American groups in the United States. The variations among Asian Americans are astounding, as they are a compilation of various languages, and cultures. Within each nationality, there are significant differences in regards to history, regional dialect, politics, religion and education.
Andrews University features rich cultural support for our Asian students. Active clubs offering programming and engagement include the Andrews Filipino International Association, the Andrews Indonesian Student Initiative Society, the Andrews Chinese Christian Fellowship, the Korean American Student Association, the Overseas Chinese Student Association, the South Pacific Islanders Club, and the Southern Asian Student Association. In addition to the cultural programming, the clubs provide opportunity for community outreach and engagement. Students can worship in the local Berrien Springs community at the following Asian American Churches: Korean SDA Church, the Michiana Fil-Am Church and the All
Current Facts and Demographics
In 2010, those who identified themselves as Asian constituted 4.8 percent of the American population totaling about 14.7 million. The three largest Asian groups in the United States in 2011 were Chinese with about 4 million people; Filipinos with about 3.4 million; and Indians with about 3.2 million. Followed by Vietnamese about 1.9 million, Koreans about 1.7 million; and Japanese about 1.3 million.
States with the largest Asian populations in 2011 were California with about 5.8 million and New York with around 1.7 million. Hawaii had the largest concentration or percentage of the total population as Asians about 57% of Hawaiian population reported being of Asian descent.
Click here for a brief history of Asian Americans in the United States.
Legal Issues
Throughout the early to mid-20th century, a period of xenophobia referred to as "Yellow Peril" saw limitations on Asian immigration and civil rights violations inflicted on U.S. Asian residents. By the mid-20th century, however, the term became associated with xenophobia towards Japanese Americans. As with many minority groups in America the predominant legal clashes or difficulties arise from discriminatory cases and racial injustice. While large scale legal issues are hard to identify among the Asian American history in the US, there is no question that there have been countless instances of legal unfairness, prejudice, and law suits.
Resources
NAMI - National Alliance on Mental Illness
AARC - Asian American Resource Center
Quintcareers - Asian American Small business resources
Asian Pacific American Legal Resources Center
Asian American Net
50 Free Anti-Racism and Mental Health Resources
AAFS- Asian American Family Service
Content provided in part by Larry Chu Wai, Dr. Erich Baumgartner’s Fall 2013 Diversity, Leadership & Culture class (LEAD 689/789).
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Financial Challenges & Solutions for Asians & Pacific Islanders: A guide to understanding and overcome obstacles as high cost of living, education and income, that contribute to a divided wealth gap, which then creates further challenges Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have to overcome,