The Brown Asian American Movement: Advocating for South Asian, Southeast Asian, and Filipino American Communities – Asian American / Asian Research Institute

Friday, June 25, 2021 | 5:30PM to 7PM

Since the inception of the Asian American Movement, Filipino Americans, South Asian Americans, and Southeast Asian Americans have consistently vocalized feelings of marginalization and exclusion within the pan-ethnic Asian American umbrella often associated with East Asians. In order for Asian Americans to further advance as a political voice in the United States, it is imperative to address historical hierarchies, community dynamics, and inter-ethnic conflicts. Further, in order for Asian Americans of all ethnic groups to feel invested in advocating for a pan-Asian umbrella group, they must all feel included and must believe that their best interests are acknowledged.

In this presentation, Dr. Kevin Nadal will discuss the history of the “Brown Asian American Movement” as a way of contextualizing historical power dynamics that have been pervasive in Asian American communities since the 1960s. Dr. Nadal also provides recommendations as to how current Asian American leaders, activists, and policymakers can be mindful of ways that colorism and privilege impacts invisibility and community dynamics.

URL: https://aapr.hkspublications.org/2020/02/02/the-brown-asian-american-movement-advocating-for-south-asian-southeast-asian-and-filipino-american-communities/

Author Bio

Kevin Nadal