James S. Lai – författare

Asian Americans are emerging as a political force and yet their politics have not been systematically studied by either social scientists or politicians. Asian American politics transcend simple questions of voting behavior and elective office, going all the way back to early immigration laws and all the way forward to ethnic targeting. For the first time, this book brings together original sources on key topics influencing Asian American politics, knit together by expert scholars who introduce each subject and place it in context with political events and the greater emerging literature. Court cases, legislation, demographics, and key pieces on topics ranging from gender to Japanese American redress to the Los Angeles riots to Wen Ho Lee round out this innovative reader on a politically active group likely to grow in number and electoral impact.

Social media provides ethno-racial immigrant groups-especially those who cannot vote due to factors such as lack of citizenship and limited English proficiency-the ability to mobilize and connect around collective issues. Online spaces and discussion forums have encouraged many Asian Americans to participate in public policy debates and take action on social justice issues. This form of digital group activism serves as an adaptive political empowerment strategy for the fastest-growing and largest foreign-born population in America. Asian American Connective Action in the Age of Social Media illuminates how associating online can facilitate and amplify traditional forms of political action.  James Lai provides diverse case studies on contentious topics ranging from affirmative action debates to textbook controversies to emphasize the complexities, limitations, and challenges of connective action that is relevant to all racial groups. Using a detailed multi-methods approach that includes national survey data and Twitter hashtag analysis, he shows how traditional immigrants, older participants, and younger generations create online consensus and mobilize offline to foment political change. In doing so, Lai provides a nuanced glimpse into the multiple ways connective action takes shape within the Asian American community.

Social media provides ethno-racial immigrant groups-especially those who cannot vote due to factors such as lack of citizenship and limited English proficiency-the ability to mobilize and connect around collective issues. Online spaces and discussion forums have encouraged many Asian Americans to participate in public policy debates and take action on social justice issues. This form of digital group activism serves as an adaptive political empowerment strategy for the fastest-growing and largest foreign-born population in America. Asian American Connective Action in the Age of Social Media illuminates how associating online can facilitate and amplify traditional forms of political action.  James Lai provides diverse case studies on contentious topics ranging from affirmative action debates to textbook controversies to emphasize the complexities, limitations, and challenges of connective action that is relevant to all racial groups. Using a detailed multi-methods approach that includes national survey data and Twitter hashtag analysis, he shows how traditional immigrants, older participants, and younger generations create online consensus and mobilize offline to foment political change. In doing so, Lai provides a nuanced glimpse into the multiple ways connective action takes shape within the Asian American community.

Asian Americans are the fastest-growing voting bloc in the United States, with AAPI turnout hitting a record high in the 2020 elections. Yet, as a political cohort, they are also remarkably complex and diverse, encompassing a number of ethno-racial groups with different languages, religions, and cultures. How, exactly, can we define Asian America? And what insight can we discern from their politics?In The Battle for Belonging, Andrew L. Aoki, James S. Lai, and Okiyoshi Takeda provide the first comprehensive, up-to-date textbook in over a decade that guides readers through the key political issues, beliefs, and activism that shape the lives of Asian Americans today.Beginning with the first large waves of immigrants, the authors show Asians in America have fought for equal treatment and opportunity, struggling against individual prejudices and systemic discrimination. While this battle for belonging has been a constant, Asian America has changed greatly. The authors look at how the growing diversity has contributed to a wider range of views, and how the changing circumstances of Asian immigrants has helped drive new forms of political engagement. No longer clustered in inner-city areas, Asian Americans today are often concentrated in suburban cities, mobilizing through online platforms that can be overlooked by more traditional political organizing. Timely topics include the social media activism of unnaturalized Asian American youth; the role that Asian American community-based organizations play as key political actors; the strategies employed by Asian American political campaigns and office-holders; and recent coalition-building with other people of color, including Black and Indigenous communities. Ultimately, Aoki, Lai, and Takeda provide much-needed, contemporary insight into the changing political identity and actions of Asian Americans.