Differences between Asians and Asian-Americans

(originally published April 23, 2018)

This is a topic I hesitate to discuss in front of non-Asian audiences: My experiences with Asian immigrants (who came here as a teenager or in their 20s), and older Asian immigrants, vs Asian-Americans who grew up in the US.

These are generalizations that don’t fairly delve into the huge diversity among Asians and Asian-Americans. Everyone is different, but I have noticed some patterns. Have you made similar observations among Asians/Asian-Americans? (I’d be curious to hear your opinion even if you’re not ethnically Asian). And for those who aren’t Asian/Asian-American, are there similar dynamics within your culture/ethnicity? (I hope people will share their experiences. I’m sure there are similarities with white people too: Italians, Polish, Irish, French)… There are a lot of dynamics I don’t understand, including those between African-Americans who know what country they are from and Black Americans who don’t, Caribbean Black Americans, recent immigrants vs those who have been in the US for far longer, black use of “losing your black card” etc.

Preface: I am (unfairly) shortening “East Asian” to Asian. I’m not addressing South, Southeast, or West Asians here because I don’t have that much experience or knowledge.

1. Asians tend to view the US as a white country. They don’t see themselves as American and act like Asian-Americans aren’t American. I hear this often when they use the word “American” synomously with…