The Filipino Americans

(Hardback)

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Description

In the year 2000, Filipino Americans will be the largest Asian American group. This volume is the first detailed historical study of the major post-1965 immigration of Filipinos to the United States. It provides comprehensive coverage of the recent Filipino American experience, from the pivotal Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, under which most Filipinos entered this country, to their values and customs, economic and political status, organizational affiliations, and contemporary issues and problems. Students and interested readers will be rewarded with a rich portrayal of individual immigrants and their stories. Filipino Americans emigrated from a nation that has a special relationship with the United States, dating from 1898 to 1946, when the Philippines was a U.S. colony. After a brief account of Philippine history, The Filipino Americans introduces a diverse immigrant population, with accounts of students, sailors, war brides, and nurses who arrived before 1965. Legislation in 1965 encouraged immigration of professionals, predominantly physicians and nurses, and permitted them to bring relatives. Posadas shows how these new Americans attempted to retain Philippine values and customs amid American economic, political, and cultural life. Family issues discussed include education and the model minority, gangs, divorce, and aging in a different culture. In addition, future immigration is an important topic, as many kin are left behind. The final chapter on Filipino American identity has particular relevance with today's multicultural debates. Tables, photos, a glossary, and biographical profiles complement this outstanding look at these new Americans.

Reviews

Even though the books in the New Americans series are designed for high school and general readers, they are quite valuable for college students and teachers as well....With this book, Posadas has established herself as the leading authority on Filipino Americans.-American Reference Books Annual
Filipino Americans is a remarkable introduction to the Filipino American community....this book fills many gaps and pulls together scattered knowledge, In sum, Posadas' work is an invaluable piece.-JAAS
One of the strengths of the book lies in the author's ability to weave personal stories of success and failure, of "making it in America," into the tapestry of a multicultural and multiracial America.-Journal of American Ethnic History
"Filipino Americans is a remarkable introduction to the Filipino American community....this book fills many gaps and pulls together scattered knowledge, In sum, Posadas' work is an invaluable piece."-JAAS
"One of the strengths of the book lies in the author's ability to weave personal stories of success and failure, of "making it in America," into the tapestry of a multicultural and multiracial America."-Journal of American Ethnic History
"Even though the books in the New Americans series are designed for high school and general readers, they are quite valuable for college students and teachers as well....With this book, Posadas has established herself as the leading authority on Filipino Americans."-American Reference Books Annual

Author Bio

BARBARA M. POSADAS is Professor of History and Director of the M.A. Concentration in Historical Administration at Northern Illinois University, DeKalb. She is a member of the editorial boards of Amerasia, the Journal of American Ethnic History, and the Journal of Women's History and is the Director of the Filipino American National Historical Society.