Yet, on a practical level, even the folks who are the most Pan Asian-thinking will admit that the reality is we are different groups with different needs and concerns. For example, you can t even make a generic Asian American ballot if you wanted. Hmong are Hmong. Chinese are Chinese. Filipino are Filipino.
Every group has a particular health issue, above and beyond language.
That s what leads to all the different generalizations, such as the model minority image. And what about the Islanders. The fact remains, the term Asian American will always be less about race and more about politics. Despite all its shortcomings, ultimately the term must be embraced, at least on a certain level. It s the only way our little specks of communities can make a blotch.