The Asian American Century

As a high school junior, one of my classes is AP US History. References to Asian Americans are few, and where mentioned, is often because of something bad that happened to them. Examples include the Chinese Exclusion Act - the first, and to date, the only US law to ban immigration of a single race, California Goldrush/railroad workers, Japanese internment camps during the 2nd world war.

It was not until the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 became law, that immigration restriction based on national origin was abolished. And immigration from Asia took off. The pace of growth has remained high, doubling from 2000 to 2019, to 23 Million., and by 2060, will double again.

Asian Population in the US

According to the US Census, Asians will be the fastest-growing segment of the US population projected through 2060, and will also represent the biggest portion of immigration into the United States.

So, as we celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage month between May 1 to May 31, we look to a future where Asians continue to positively shape US history. And we look ahead to a day when a high school junior in the year 2065 will open her US History book, and see many of these achievements celebrated.

[https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2021/04/29/key-facts-about-asian-americans/]

[https://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2020/demo/p25-1144.pdf]

[https://archive.defense.gov/home/features/2015/0515_aapi/]