How To Write An Essay On Asian Americans
ASIAN AMERICANS The first Asians to move to the western hemisphere were reportedly Chinese Filipinos settling in the area of Mexico. Filipino sailors settled in the United States in the mid 18th century around the area which would be Louisiana. About a hundred years later, in an effort to make up for the shortage of African slaves, Europeans brought over people in virtual slavery from China, India and the Philippines (Ancestors in the Americas). They brought these Asian slaves to the Caribbean Islands and various countries in South America. The truly large influx of Asian immigrants into the United States did not take place until the mid 19th century—1848 to be exact, when gold was discovered in the Western United States. Asians,
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like untold others were lured into the country by the dreams of striking it rich in California. It was a large factor in the reason thousands of Chinese came to America. But there were also other reasons, primarily economic. The growing dominance of Great Britain over China after the Opium Wars, made the economy go downhill. Chinese left to find a better living. The Chinese were, by far, the largest group of Asian immigrants. The first formal discrimination came with the Foreign Miner Tax which was ordered to be collected from each immigrant miner, but really was only collected from Chinese miners. If they refused to pay, they were harassed, attacked, and sometimes even killed. They got no help in court because at that time, Chinese could not testify against Whites in court, so that was no answer. The other laborers were Irish, German, and of other such European and closely aligned descent. The Chinese and other Asian immigrant groups, much like the Black Americans, “looked” different and were subsequently treated differently. They did not “blend” into the mainstream American “look.” They were not considered “white” while most of the other immigrants were. The Asians were paid less, at just 60% of what “white” immigrant received, with no conceivable reason nor explanation. They worked as long and as hard as everyone else (Becoming American). As the years went by after the first Asian immigrants came to this country, they were not allowed to own land, marry “whites”, own homes or work in certain occupations (Asian Nation). This forced them into isolated communities where they sought out the available occupations. This is how we came to think of Chinese as doing laundry, Japanese as gardeners, and Korean grocers (Asian Nation). They are at once considered hard working, patient, loyal and smart, while being considered “outsiders”, sneaky, and somehow “not quite American” (Asian Nation). In addition, many of the wars fought with the United States as a party, included Asians as a foe. This included Japan Although the Asian American population has grown, and become integrated into the country, discrimination and racism has actually grown more against this group than any other (Asian Nation).
In the few decades, Asian Americans have increasingly been the target of hate crimes and racism (Asian Nation).
HASIDISM
Within the Jewish religion are many sects, or special movements and one of the special movements within Orthodox Judaism called Hasidim and the people who follow this type of the Jewish faith are called Hasidic Jews. In the 1800’s millions of Jews followed these beliefs, but it has dwindled in the recent times. Hasidism was a form of spiritual renewal within the Jewish faith, but also a type of rebellion against the then prevailing Jewish establishment. (Hasidism) The Hasidic lifestyle includes wearing particular clothing, especially the men who wear black suits and large black hats. The men also have beards and wear their sideburns in one long curl on each side. Hasidic Jews believe in very strictly conservative lifestyles and carry on such “old world” customs as arranged marriages and speaking Yiddish. In the United States, most Hasidic Jews live in New York in the area of Brooklyn. They have small communities called courts that are indicative of the place where they originated, such as in Poland or Russia. There are over 60 courts in New York City.
(Hasidism) This Hasidic Orthodox Jewish way of life carries with it strong traditions of dress, music, humor dance, and a complex world of thought and themes. Although they live in what is probably the most diverse and progressive city in the world, New York, they remain committed to following their conservative values. They are devoted to their religion and to additional beliefs including: guidance from God for every small deed, love for every Jew, living in peace and harmony, making sure the children are happy and fulfilled (Hasidism). Hasidism has contributed to the American culture just as every group has contributed—by making the United States a cross section of all types of people. In addition, by keeping the Yiddish language alive, and adhering to centuries old traditions keeping them alive, it makes it a rich part of the culture of Judaism (Hasidism). Opposition to this movement within the Orthodox Judaism began to surface because of the clothing style, which makes especially the men stand out in the regular society. Even as far back as the 1800’s, this sect was ridiculed because of the dancing, singing and most of all, their appearance. Aside from the men wearing the black hats and suits, the women wear long skirts and sleeves below the elbow. Also, the women totally cover their hair, either with scarves or wigs. This makes them “stand out” among current society and a target for discrimination. But, the “day to day” differences are often lessened because of the length of time the Hasidic communities have been her and because they remain largely in their own communities (Hasidism).
Conclusion
Discrimination and exclusion comes in all different forms. The two groups mentioned above, Asian Americans and Hasidic Jews have suffered discrimination in vastly different ways. Some is because they merely “look” different or practice vastly different traditions. It is said that what you do not understand you fear and this might account for why those that look different are often the brunt of harassment and discrimination.
References
Asian Americans have increasingly been the target of hate crimes and racism (Asian Nation).
Ancestors in the Americas http://www.pbs.org/ancestorsintheamericas/ retrieved 6/23/14
Asian Nation, Asian American History, Demographics and Issues http://www.asian-nation.org/ retrieved 6/23/14
Becoming American—the Chinese Experience, PBS http://www.pbs.org/becomingamerican/programcredits.html retrieved 6/23/14
Hasidism, the Jewish Virtual Library http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/Hasidism.html
like untold others were lured into the country by the dreams of striking it rich in California. It was a large factor in the reason thousands of Chinese came to America. But there were also other reasons, primarily economic. The growing dominance of Great Britain over China after the Opium Wars, made the economy go downhill. Chinese left to find a better living. The Chinese were, by far, the largest group of Asian immigrants. The first formal discrimination came with the Foreign Miner Tax which was ordered to be collected from each immigrant miner, but really was only collected from Chinese miners. If they refused to pay, they were harassed, attacked, and sometimes even killed. They got no help in court because at that time, Chinese could not testify against Whites in court, so that was no answer. The other laborers were Irish, German, and of other such European and closely aligned descent. The Chinese and other Asian immigrant groups, much like the Black Americans, “looked” different and were subsequently treated differently. They did not “blend” into the mainstream American “look.” They were not considered “white” while most of the other immigrants were. The Asians were paid less, at just 60% of what “white” immigrant received, with no conceivable reason nor explanation. They worked as long and as hard as everyone else (Becoming American). As the years went by after the first Asian immigrants came to this country, they were not allowed to own land, marry “whites”, own homes or work in certain occupations (Asian Nation). This forced them into isolated communities where they sought out the available occupations. This is how we came to think of Chinese as doing laundry, Japanese as gardeners, and Korean grocers (Asian Nation). They are at once considered hard working, patient, loyal and smart, while being considered “outsiders”, sneaky, and somehow “not quite American” (Asian Nation). In addition, many of the wars fought with the United States as a party, included Asians as a foe. This included Japan Although the Asian American population has grown, and become integrated into the country, discrimination and racism has actually grown more against this group than any other (Asian Nation).
In the few decades, Asian Americans have increasingly been the target of hate crimes and racism (Asian Nation).
HASIDISM
Within the Jewish religion are many sects, or special movements and one of the special movements within Orthodox Judaism called Hasidim and the people who follow this type of the Jewish faith are called Hasidic Jews. In the 1800’s millions of Jews followed these beliefs, but it has dwindled in the recent times. Hasidism was a form of spiritual renewal within the Jewish faith, but also a type of rebellion against the then prevailing Jewish establishment. (Hasidism) The Hasidic lifestyle includes wearing particular clothing, especially the men who wear black suits and large black hats. The men also have beards and wear their sideburns in one long curl on each side. Hasidic Jews believe in very strictly conservative lifestyles and carry on such “old world” customs as arranged marriages and speaking Yiddish. In the United States, most Hasidic Jews live in New York in the area of Brooklyn. They have small communities called courts that are indicative of the place where they originated, such as in Poland or Russia. There are over 60 courts in New York City.
(Hasidism) This Hasidic Orthodox Jewish way of life carries with it strong traditions of dress, music, humor dance, and a complex world of thought and themes. Although they live in what is probably the most diverse and progressive city in the world, New York, they remain committed to following their conservative values. They are devoted to their religion and to additional beliefs including: guidance from God for every small deed, love for every Jew, living in peace and harmony, making sure the children are happy and fulfilled (Hasidism). Hasidism has contributed to the American culture just as every group has contributed—by making the United States a cross section of all types of people. In addition, by keeping the Yiddish language alive, and adhering to centuries old traditions keeping them alive, it makes it a rich part of the culture of Judaism (Hasidism). Opposition to this movement within the Orthodox Judaism began to surface because of the clothing style, which makes especially the men stand out in the regular society. Even as far back as the 1800’s, this sect was ridiculed because of the dancing, singing and most of all, their appearance. Aside from the men wearing the black hats and suits, the women wear long skirts and sleeves below the elbow. Also, the women totally cover their hair, either with scarves or wigs. This makes them “stand out” among current society and a target for discrimination. But, the “day to day” differences are often lessened because of the length of time the Hasidic communities have been her and because they remain largely in their own communities (Hasidism).
Conclusion
Discrimination and exclusion comes in all different forms. The two groups mentioned above, Asian Americans and Hasidic Jews have suffered discrimination in vastly different ways. Some is because they merely “look” different or practice vastly different traditions. It is said that what you do not understand you fear and this might account for why those that look different are often the brunt of harassment and discrimination.
References
Asian Americans have increasingly been the target of hate crimes and racism (Asian Nation).
Ancestors in the Americas http://www.pbs.org/ancestorsintheamericas/ retrieved 6/23/14
Asian Nation, Asian American History, Demographics and Issues http://www.asian-nation.org/ retrieved 6/23/14
Becoming American—the Chinese Experience, PBS http://www.pbs.org/becomingamerican/programcredits.html retrieved 6/23/14
Hasidism, the Jewish Virtual Library http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/Hasidism.html