Resisting Asian American Invisibility

Book excerpt: "Based on in-depth ethnographic research in formal and informal educational spaces, The Politics of Asian American Invisibility, argues that Hmong American youth are rendered invisible by dominant racial discourses and current educational policies and practices. We illustrate the way Hmong American students are erased by the Black and White racial paradigm and the Asian American panethnic category that perpetuates the model minority stereotype. Furthermore, we argue that current educational policies around English learners marginalize Hmong youth. Far from being passive or silent victims, Hmong American communities are actively resisting their invisibility through various forms of educational advocacy and through community-based education. The Politics of Asian American Invisibility highlights one group's struggle for educational justice"--