Asian Americans: Oral Histories of First to Fourth Generation Americans from China, the Philippines, Japan, India, the Pacific Islands, Vietnam and Cambodia

by Joann Faung Jean Lee

Since the first three documented Chinese arrived in this country in 1848, more than six million Asians have followed. The huge immigrations of recent years have prompted a surge of interest in the new Asian American experience. In Asian Americans, these immigrants and their families present their own stories―why they came to America and what it means to be Asian in America today.

Genres: History, Asian American, Race, Nonfiction, Asian Literature, Politics, Aapi

256 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1992

Reviews

[Jennifer Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was so enriching to be able to hear stories from many Asians of different backgrounds. We are not a monolith and I think this book really highlighted that.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

“You’re arguing a case before a judge. And the other guy is white, and he’s been around. The moment he walks in the office, it’s like he says to the judge or clerk, ‘How’s so and so?’ But when I come in, it’s like this stranger walks in— you don’t belong here. But when he walks in, it’s like family. I feel like I just walked into the wrong club— a place I don’t belong.”

A fascinating project, and a very nice find for 8 dollars back stock. This is a book of short interviews which have been edited and formatted in such a way that it tends to cut through directly to the emotional and psychological core of each interviewee. I am a novice when it comes to oral histories, and this felt like a good introduction to them— very few of the chapters felt redundant, and as a whole the project seemed to get at the core essence of anthropology done right, where you feel most of the time that you’re getting the people and the cultures “as they are,” with as little editorial meddling as possible.

All that said, there were certainly parts of this that left a sour taste in my mouth: part of that is editorial, and part of it has to do with the actual content. First, there was unsurprisingly a heavy skew towards the experiences of Chinese, Japanese, and Korean immigrants. About ten pages each of Filipinos, Indians, and a little more for Vietnamese (likely due to this being published closer to the aftermath of the war). Not to mention, the title kind of lies— aside from Hawaii, there is not a single mention of the Pacific Islands. It’s not a great look.

The other glaring issue is the rampant anti-blackness permeating this book: Blackness is constantly invoked by the interviewees as something undesirable. On the one hand, that’s not at all the book’s fault, and in some ways it does essential work to illuminate some of the problems of the Asian American community, and the ways in which the model minority myth seems to have a stranglehold on Asian American collective psychology. I do feel, however, that the editor could have done more to address this issue. The section on interracial marriage is filled with wasians and just fully ignored blasians as a concept. Finally, it wraps up with a truly bizarre postscript which tastelessly equates the LA race riots to 19th century violence against Chinese immigrants, completely ignoring Asian complacency in white supremacy. It just doesn’t look good.

Still, I would recommend this to anyone who is looking to learn more about Asian American history. It brings all of that history into a more personal, digestible context with the lives of real people impacted by real historical events. This is crucial work, as I feel that much of the Asian American history I have read seems far too impersonal and removed.

(side note— the section with the white woman who said she viewed her Indian husband as Caucasian was NUTS. I think this book is worth reading just for that chapter.)

[Jenny]

A great read if you're an Asian American. I think too many of us (Asian Americans) are too 'Americanized', which isn't a bad thing at all, however, we try to much to assimilate to this society's standard. After reading this and other books on Asian studies, I feel more proud of my heritage and culture. I'm not anti-american, but I feel more grateful that I am able to take the best of two worlds.

[Jessica Yu]

A quick read that is easy to skim, yet rich with anecdotal definitions of "Asian-American" from an array of interviewees. It is not social research project-- interviewees were chosen casually and through the author's networks-- but it offers the personal stories (including family traumas) of everyday people without judgment on their navigation of life as an Asian-American. Worthwhile if you're looking for a diversity of voices on Asian-American culture.

[Daniel Yesilonis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This really isn't so much a book as a collection of interviews. That being said though I found it extremely interesting. It was fascinating to read about the struggles that this very distinct group of people deal with. After reading this, I definitely will think differently about the stereotypes that are often applied to Asian Americans.

[Rosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is really interesting to read, the stories might seem short, but it is something that anyone who has a strong asian heritage that they can relate to. Really good to read for discussions and something to read on a rainy or snowy day.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short interviews with Asian Americans from diverse backgrounds. Some of the essays are a bit more detailed than others with some being more compelling than others. Overall, an interesting mix of personal experiences from a wide variety of Asian Americans told in their voices.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that the wide range of different points of view included was really interesting. I especially liked the section which included three different generations because that emphasized what things are based off of point of view versus a more universal experience.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been wanting to comply something like Lee did with this book. As an ABC, I couldn't stop reading and relating to many of frustrations, victories, struggles of the Asian Americans who shared their stories in this book.

[Meera · Rating 3 out of 5]

The narrations feel conversational. Its an American patch work quilt though with colorful Asian bits and pieces.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dated but interesting. Maybe interesting because it's dated. I enjoyed the different perspectives, both in terms of culture and now in terms of time.