Are We American Yet? The Quest of Asian Americans

"Where are you from?"

"No, where are you really from?”

Innocent curiosity or something more? For many Asian Americans these questions represent a cliché that, intentional or not, implies that the questioner does not – or cannot – see them as a legitimate part of a multicultural America.

At best, the overuse of these questions, can be a mildly entertaining experience that is commonly shared by Asian Americans regardless of ethnicity, family history, or length of time in the US. At worst, it reinforces a Black/White paradigm in the US that is a disservice to anyone whose racial/ethnic identity falls outside that paradigm.

What does it mean to be seen as an American by other Americans? What does it take? How are Asian Americans grappling with the denial of their American-ness by other Americans? What does it mean for broader issues of racial stereotyping? What role can the equity and inclusion aspects of DEI play in addressing these challenges?

In honor of AAPI Heritage Month, the Institute for Inclusion in the Legal Profession (“IILP”) is pleased to present this webinar in which we will explore:

• Factors that contribute to the perception of American identity.
• The significance of proudly saying “I am from America.”
• Stereotypes associated with Asian Americans and the connection to American culture.
• The concept of generational assimilation (How many generations must reside in America, for an Asian American to be considered truly American?)
• The importance of embracing heritage alongside American identity.
• The richness that diversity brings to the broader concept of being American.

Join us as we foster a greater understanding of the complexities surrounding the question "Are we American yet?" and celebrate the diversity that contributes to the broader American narrative.

Speakers:

• Monique ("Nikki") Bhargava, Partner, Reed Smith LLP
• Melinda P. Fuller, Counsel, State Farm Insurance Company
• Joan M. Haratani, Partner, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
• Byung J. “BJay” Pak, Partner, Alston & Bird LLP
• Avani Patel, Program Specialist, Institute for Inclusion in the Legal Profession
• Amandeep S. Sidhu, Partner, Winston & Strawn LLP
• Sufyan Sohel, Chair, Cook County (IL) Commission on Human Rights
• Jen Won, Adtech Product Counsel, TikTok