Rain pools in the seats arranged near a stage. Parents, under umbrellas, prepare to take photos of their children performing a traditional Filipino dance against the backdrop of
the U. S. Capitol.
An announcer thanks families for being there despite the bad weather. "Anyway, for
Asians, this is a blessing," she says of the rain.
Such sweeping statements are reflective of the Fiesta Asia event. It's a yearly festival
held in Washington, D. C., that broadly celebrates Asian heritage in the U. S. It is meant
to honor the "Asian American" experience.
The term Asian American encompasses dozens of distinct ethnic identities and countries
of origin. In our labels-obsessed era, the term has splintered the community's attitudes
toward it. Some appreciate being lumped into the large group while others question the
use of the term.
Moreover, it is not always clear who is part of this group. Many people think of Asian
Americans as those whose families are from East Asian countries, like China, Japan and
Korea. Indian Americans and Pakistani Americans, for example, can be left out. India
and Pakistan are still part of Asia, as are many other less well-known countries.
Uncertainty remains. What does it actually mean to identify as Asian American today?
Central Idea: