Introduction

The Asian and Pacific Islander population rose from 3.5 million to 7.3 million over the decade, with about 71% of the growth coming from immigration. The Asian rate of increase of 108% between 1980 and 1990 was the fastest among all major United States groups. In California, a state which accounts for 40% of the nation's Asian population, and particularly in Los Angeles County and its vicinity, home to the largest settlement of Asians in the mainland, the story of boom and prosperity is familiar. Some note the history of exclusion and discrimination experienced by Asian immigrants regardless of their national origins and time of arrival. Most basically, the participation potential of Asians may be severely discounted by certain demographic characteristics unique to an emergent multiethnic minority group. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.