Here's the thing about Asian Americans. They're not a cohesive group with a common culture as Black Americans are. I say Black, not African American because there are African Americans who can trace their roots back to specific African countries and do not have ancestors who were enslaved. Asia is an old continent, with very old cultures and opinions about other Asian cultures and to some extent that is present here in the States. In the face of whites, yes Asian Americans may group together but there is often still a stronger link to country of origin than to other Asian Americans. Furthermore, when people say Asian Americans or even Asians, people of South Asian ancestry are usually left out of the group, at least in the US.

I argue that Asian Americans are not one of the most integrated groups in America, though I guess it would depend on personal experience and definition. From my own experience, we're reminded of how different we are far more often than would be true if what you say is true. How often are Latinos or Blacks asked, "where are you from? No, where are you really from?" To put it another way, Asians are often labeled as "the perpetual foreigners".

Not only that, but if schools accepted students on merit alone, then Asians would make up a larger percentage of Ivy League student bodies than they presently do. However, this is not so.

I heard a joke once that made me laugh so hard and yet made me incredibly sad as well. I can't remember the name of the comedian, but it went like this. "It was hard growing up Japanese, because I'm Korean." My experience is somewhat different. Yes, friends growing up would jokingly say to me, "all Asians look the same" usually followed by, "You don't look like other Asians," as if their friendship with me and getting to know me as an individual somehow absolved them of racism. Nope. I get the impression that to many people, all Asians and Asian Americans are Chinese.