3
and 43 % were non-citizen foreign-born. Based on demographic profile of Asian descent
population, Chan (2001) concludes that Asian American population is rapidly growing,
ethnically diverse, possessing significant income diversity—from relatively high incomes
to alarmingly low incomes. Asian Americans are largely foreign born, linguistically
diverse, with many living in non-English environments; educationally diverse, with some
groups at educational risk.
Asian Americans used to be excluded from citizenship, and were regarded as
“foreigners within” and as “aliens.” Asian Americans had been victimized by legal
exclusion, disenfranchisement, and restrict enfranchisement (Lowe, 1998). Not until the
post-world war era, in the 1960s, had the immigration policies considered to include
Asian immigrants as “citizens.” Since the 1980s, Asian Americans have been labeled the
“model minority,” as “honorary whites” (Liu, 1994; Tuan, 1999). Asian Americans are
believed to enjoy success in education, rising income, a strong work ethic, and freedom
from problems in mental health and crime (Lin, 1998). Stereotypes of Asian Americans
caused racial hostility or racial targeting. Model minority labeling serves as a double-
edged sword that promotes racial dominance while silencing members of Asian ethnic
groups. While the mainstream culture perceive Asian Americans as a trouble free “model
minority,” Asian Americans are still experiencing discrimination. The current study aims
to investigate whether an active perception has developed among Asian American
professionals. As “successful” examples of American culture, do they experience
discrimination, unrealistic expectation, neglect, maltreatment or other identifiable
treatment that differentiates them from the majority population? Do they have a
community awareness? Is there anything they suggest to resolve the problem?
Convention