The Politics of Race and Education: Second-Generation Laotian Women Campaign for Improved Educational Services

Part of a special issue on Asian and Pacific Islander populations within the U.S. Despite often being conceptualized as either a model minority or at-risk refugees or foreigners, second-generation Laotian-American women are challenging these perceptions through community organization. In California&...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Shah, Bindi V. 1960- (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Published: 2008
In: Social justice
Year: 2008, Volume: 35, Issue: 2, Pages: 100-118
Online Access: Volltext (Verlag)
Check availability: HBZ Gateway
Keywords:
Laotians > United States
Social Networks
Social Problems
Educational counseling
Laotian Americans
Education
Teenage Girls
Description
Summary:Part of a special issue on Asian and Pacific Islander populations within the U.S. Despite often being conceptualized as either a model minority or at-risk refugees or foreigners, second-generation Laotian-American women are challenging these perceptions through community organization. In California's West Contra Costa County, the Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN) has sought to build an ethnic-specific program, the Laotian Organizing Project, which targets young teenage Laotian-American girls. Laotians are among the newest immigrants and their U.S. born children face a host of specific issues, including high rates of teen pregnancy, gang membership, and institutionalization in care facilities. The writer discusses APEN's efforts at mobilizing Laotian-American girls in Richmond High School, California.