Identities in the New Ethnic Politics: The Rise of “Pan-ethnicity”

1. Identities in the New Ethnic Politics: The Rise of “Pan-ethnicity” Political Science 61 / Chicano/Latino Studies 64 October 9, 2007

2. Today’s Topic Pan-ethnicity: The Final Pillar of Contemporary Minority Politics

3. Pan-Ethnicity • Definition – an ethnic identity defined by region, not country, of origin • Examples—Asian American or Latino • U.S. ethnicities traditionally understood in national terms • Intergroup cooperation among multiple national-origin groups • Political – building a political agenda or movement around this regional identity and shared policy needs

4. General Rule 1:U.S. Ethnic Identities Fluid • Immigrants learn U.S. conceptions of their identity • 19th Century European immigrants immigrated with sub-national/regional identities … and, became “national ethics” from newly forming countries • Institutions (church, politics, neighborhood) reinforced national identities • Meaning and racial conception of European national identities changed over time • Exception – African migrants to slavery had most national or regional roots taken from them and were always understood racially

5. General Rule 2: Ethnic Identities Diminish Over 2nd/3rd Generations • Intermarriage quickly blurs “pure” national origin categories • Other identities blur ethnic distinctions • Religion • Race • Ideology • Immigrant generation • In other words, local institutions see diminished ability to maintain identities

6. At Least Until Contemporary Era • Immigration from high sending countries slows/stops after 20-30 years • Allows the 2nd/3rd generation to reshape national origin identity to ethnic identity • In current era, however, Mexican immigration high since the 1950s • Several other national-origin groups will soon see a third generation

7. General Rule 3: Counting is Highly Contested • Census inconsistent in measuring race and ethnicity • Race and ethnicity are socially constructed, so no consistent understanding of categories • Generally behind mass practices • Ethnic group leaders have sought to avoid categorization as a racial group • Today’s controversies (see Prewitt reading) • Latinos as “ethnic,” not racial category • At mass level, many Latinos identify racially • Arab/Middle Eastern racial category • Multi-racial self-identification

8. Contemporary Pan-Ethnicity is Substantively Different • Government has promoted • VRA an example • Government collects data to measure pan-ethnicity, so relative status can be measured • Access to some state resources allocated by race/ethnicity • Ethnic leaders organize pan-ethnically • Sustained immigration creates foundation for more durable identities across generations • Communications ensure that immigrants know about U.S. ethnic categories before migration

9. U.S. Population by Race, 2000

10. Hispanic and non-Hispanic Population, 2000

11. But, Pan-Ethnicity the Exception at the Mass Level • Low affect across national origin populations within pan-ethnic groups • Affect—To show a fondness for; to like to use or practice; to choose (Webster's Dictionary) • Traditionally, little contact between Asian Americans or Latinos • Latinos and Asian Americans increasingly living around each other • Perception of “common” Latino or Asian American culture low by Latinos or Asian Americans

12. When Does a Pan-ethnic Identity Form? • Felix Padilla (“On the Nature of Latino Ethnicity”) • Latinos (or Asian Americans) come into contact with each other • Latinos (or Asian Americans) share experiences that exclude them from majority communities • Latinos (or Asian Americans) of different origins work together to address their common exclusion and form a new identity based on shared struggle • Padilla—Latino (or Asian American) identity is inherently political

13. Who is Likely to Adopt a Pan-ethnic Identity? • From Lien, Conway, and Wong (for Asian Americans) • Indians (relative to Chinese) • Asian Americans who perceive a shared Asian culture • Strong partisans • U.S. citizens • Involved in ethnic causes • Older people • Employed people • Negative predictors – Asian Americans who experienced discrimination, 1st generation, women

14. Pan-Ethnic Identification Among Asian Americans Source: Lien, Conway, and Wong

15. So, Why Does Pan-Ethnicity Matter? • Provides foundation for the allocation of state resources • Majority populations increasingly view minorities in pan-ethnic terms • Ethnic leaders organize pan-ethnically • So, pan-ethnic identification will grow among Latinos and Asian Americans • And other pan-ethnic populations?

16. For Next Time • The first essay is due next Tuesday. Be prepared to discuss your thesis Thursday. • QUESTION FOR READING – As Reconstruction came to an end, African Americans in the South lost rights they had exercised. • Identify these rights and how they were taken away.