Advancing Aspirations: From Isolation to Belonging
A Future Young AAPIs are Proud Of
When we pioneered narrative research to better understand the next generation of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs), our interviews illuminated opportunities for shaping a powerful AAPI story. An important question emerged: how do we acknowledge and celebrate differences without losing the opportunity—the necessity—of working together?
Nearly all of our interviewees felt isolated—from their heritage, ethnic or racial group, other AAPIs, or even their family and parents. When asked why, they pointed to the lack of representation of their sexuality or ethnicity; language gaps; class differences between themselves and others; or differences in experiences of being AAPI. Not feeling “Asian enough,” or doubting one’s connection or claim to the culture was one thing that amplified this lack of belonging. And while representation helps counter this sense of isolation (e.g. “I didn’t know other queer Muslim women existed until I found @mrspotatoqueen!”), it doesn’t inherently improve connection or foster inclusion. Interviewees were excited by the growing number of Asian American celebrities, musicians, actors and films, from Ms. Marvel to Shang-Chi. Yet those who held multiply-marginalized or minority identities still felt isolated by current representation efforts.
Ultimately, to connect individuals across disparate experiences, identities, and cultures, we need to shape an AAPI identity that people can feel proud of. Representation should help situate individuals within a larger, diverse and inclusive community of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who share a compelling vision for the future. Representation efforts need to celebrate our full humanity, and include not just many ethnicities, but a range of abilities, sizes, ages, genders, sexualities, cultural practices, and more. But just showing that this diversity exists isn’t enough. There is an immense opportunity to shape an Asian American identity, story, and culture that the next generation of AAPIs can be proud of.
We recognize how much pain and loss the AAPI community feels as a result of assimilation, authenticity traps, or intergenerational trauma. Culture-shaping—the process of influencing or changing cultural norms and values—is one way to transform pain into pride and forge an intergenerational link that feels missing to so many people.
Culture-shaping* is already happening, even if it’s not described in those terms. When asked to show or describe the best of Asian America, interviewees shared images of artists like MC Jin or Anderson .Paak, Instagram posts of Asian American-focused mental health accounts, Asian American politicians, and scenes from the Asian American movement like Gidra magazine or protest scenes that root this culture in progressive activism and solidarity. These cultural elements might be unfamiliar to an Asian person outside of the US, but they were often referenced as points of pride for those who grew up here.
Ultimately, individual people have the power to shape and influence culture. The activists and organizers we interviewed prompted us to remember that political education is best done with and alongside others. Interviewees described the friendships they forged volunteering in Chinatown or joining an outdoors group for Asian Americans. They were inspired by ways people in the Asian American movement combined politics, identity, and community.
Culture change can begin with building community over shared experiences and values, while holding curiosity for and honoring the differences in the stories that comprise Asian America.
*Culture-shaping is one area where Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities may differ. We are inspired by the ways Native Hawaiian activists are reclaiming connections to land, language, and culture that were severed through colonialism and occupation, even if they verge on reinforcing authenticity. We also know that cultural expression for Pasifika communities may center music, dance, and oral traditions more than Asian Americans. We see these as positives and don’t seek to elevate a sense of cultural lumping that rings artificial. Our NHPI-specific research project is in process with a report forthcoming in 2025.