Description
Book SynopsisYounger-Generation Korean Experiences in the United States: Personal Narratives on Ethnic and Racial Identities compares the formation of the ethnic identities of two distinct cohorts of Korean Americans. Through personal essays, the book explores four influential factors of ethnic identity: retention of ethnic culture; participation in ethnic social networks; links to the mother country and its global power and influence; and experiences with racial prejudice and discrimination. The essays reflect certain major changes between the two cohortsthe first growing up in the 1960s and early 1970s and the second growing up during the 1980s and early 1990s and proves how an increase in the Korean population and in the number of ethnic organizations helped the second-cohort Korean Americans retain their cultural heritage in a more voluntary, and therefore meaningful, way. This book's combination of first-hand experiences and critical analysis makes it a valuable resource for studies of ethnici
Trade ReviewBy presenting the voices of Korean Americans—in fascinating and often moving personal narratives that explore identities, networks, and links to South Korea—this book enriches our understanding of the second-generation experience. -- Nancy Foner, Hunter College and the Graduate Center, CUNY
These narratives relate personal recollections about the quest for ethnic identity and belonging, and are full of insights gained from the struggles, frustrations, hopes, and successes throughout the subjects’ life experiences. Readers, especially Korean American readers but also those of any background, will find the two books [this book and Korean Americans Who Have Empowered the Korean-American Community] in equal measures thought-provoking and touching as they empathize with the various narrators from their own perspectives. * The Review of Korean Studies *
Comparing the experiences of Korean American youth in two different time periods, this unique and insightful book examines the ways in which internal and external factors have contributed to different ethnic and racial identity formations. Drawing on personal narratives, the book is immanently engaging, and thus will appeal to a broad audience of scholars and students, as well as the public at large. -- Mehdi Bozorgmehr, Professor of Sociology, CUNY
By presenting the voices of Korean Americans—in fascinating and often moving personal narratives that explore identities, networks, and links to South Korea—this book enriches our understanding of the second-generation experience. -- Nancy Foner, Hunter College and the Graduate Center, CUNY
This is a wonderfully informative study of the complex phenomenon of ethnic identity among Korean Americans. The detailed qualitative analysis reveals the significance of historical context, social ties, and experiences with racial prejudice. This book should be of interest to anyone who wishes to understand the formation of Asian American ethnic identities. -- Arthur Sakamoto, Texas A&M University
Comparing the experiences of Korean American youth in two different time periods, this unique and insightful book examines the ways in which internal and external factors have contributed to different ethnic and racial identity formations. Drawing on personal narratives, the book is immanently engaging, and thus will appeal to a broad audience of scholars and students, as well as the public at large. -- Mehdi Bozorgmehr, Professor of Sociology, CUNY
This is a wonderfully informative study of the complex phenomenon of ethnic identity among Korean Americans. The detailed qualitative analysis reveals the significance of historical context, social ties, and experiences with racial prejudice. This book should be of interest to anyone who wishes to understand the formation of Asian American ethnic identities. -- Arthur Sakamoto, Texas A&M University
Table of ContentsPart 1: Introduction - Pyong Gap Min and Thomas Chung Part 2: The Earlier Cohort-1 Authenticity Dilemma among Pre-1965 Native-Born Koreans - Linda Park Part 3: The Earlier Cohort-2 My Trek - Rose Kim A Handicapped Korean in America - Alex Jeong Reflections on a Korean-American Journey - Ruth Chung Part 4: The Later Cohort, Group1 Growing Up Korean American: Navigating a Complex Search for Belonging - Brenda Chung How to Be a Korean - Sun Park Too American to Be Korean, Too Korean to Be American: A Second-Generation Outsider’s Account - Thomas Chung The Way I See It - Bora Lee Part 5: The Later Cohort, Group 2 Miyeok Guk for the Korean Soul - Helene K. Lee Anyone Ever Tell You that You Look Like…? - Dave Hahn Family Matters: Emerging Adulthood and the Evolution of My Ethno-Racial Identity - Sung S. Park Part 6: The Later Cohort, Group 3 The Outlier - Katherine Yungmee Kim 할머니 안녕? (Halmuhnee Ahn-Nyung?) - Alexandra Noh What it Means to Be Korean - Hyein Lee Part 7: Comments Chapter - Pyong Gap Min and Thomas Chung
