Description
Social media provides ethno-racial immigrant groups--especially those who cannot vote due to factors such as lack of citizenship and limited English proficiency--the ability to mobilize and connect around collective issues. Online spaces and discussion forums have encouraged many Asian Americans to participate in public policy debates and take action on social justice issues. This form of digital group activism serves as an adaptive political empowerment strategy for the fastest-growing and largest foreign-born population in America. Asian American Connective Action in the Age of Social Media illuminates how associating online can facilitate and amplify traditional forms of political action.
James Lai provides diverse case studies on contentious topics ranging from affirmative action debates to textbook controversies to emphasize the complexities, limitations, and challenges of connective action that is relevant to all racial groups. Using a detailed multi-methods approach that includes national survey data and Twitter hashtag analysis, he shows how traditional immigrants, older participants, and younger generations create online consensus and mobilize offline to foment political change. In doing so, Lai provides a nuanced glimpse into the multiple ways connective action takes shape within the Asian American community.
Author: James S. Lai
Publisher: Temple University Press
Published: 01/21/2022
Pages: 225
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.11lbs
Size: 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.69d
ISBN13: 9781439919088
ISBN10: 1439919089
BISAC Categories:
- Political Science | Civics & Citizenship
- Social Science | Ethnic Studies | American | Asian American Studies & Pacific
- Political Science | Civil Rights
About the Author
James S. Lai is a Professor in the Ethnic Studies Department at Santa Clara University with a courtesy appointment in the Department of Political Science. He is the author of Asian American Political Action: Suburban Transformations and coeditor of Asian Americans Politics: Law, Participation and Policy.