Those interviewed in the study voiced a diversity of concerns and perspectives, although a few trends were apparent.
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“For example, recently arrived Asian immigrant participants told us they are drawn more to their ethnic identity than to the more general, U.S.-created pan-ethnic Asian American identity,” Pew wrote of its findings. “Meanwhile, U.S.-born Asian participants shared how they identified, at times, as Asian but also, at other times, by their ethnic origin and as Americans.”
The term Asian American was popularized in the U.S. in the 1960s and eventually adopted by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Often, Asian American ethnic groups voiced a disconnect between how they see themselves and how others see them.
“Sometimes this led to maltreatment of them or their families, especially at heightened moments in American history such as during Japanese incarceration during World War II, the aftermath of 9/11 and, more recently, the COVID-19 pandemic” Pew wrote. “Beyond these specific moments, many in the focus groups offered their own experiences that had revealed other people’s assumptions or misconceptions about their identity.”
Yanes encourages Southern Baptists to embrace the diverse Asian American community of fellow believers.
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“Our Asian churches have been around for years in the Southern Baptist Convention. They are more than ever equipped and ready to work alongside our partner churches and ministries to reach the over 24 million population,” Yanes said. “Asian churches are our partners in the gospel ministry.”
Findings from Pew’s study, What It Means To Be Asian in America is available here.
This article originally appeared at Baptist Press.
