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Study Up For 'Think': Redefining "A Chinaman's Chance"

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In his book, Liu explores his identity as a Chinese American.

The United States Census Bureau reported that Asians were the fastest growing race or ethnic group in 2012, with a growth rate of 2.9%. But as the Asian American population continues to grow, what does it mean to identify as a part of that group? Today on Think at 1 p.m., Citizen University founder and former Clinton advisor Eric Liu joins Krys Boyd to talk about his new book A Chinaman’s Chance: One Family’s Journey and the Chinese American Dream.

Pew Research Center confirms reports that Asians have alternated with the Hispanic population as the fastest growing population group in the United States. But for Asian Americans, immigration has contributed largely to the increase.

An American born to Chinese immigrants, Liu recently contributed an opinion piece to CNN on his identity as a Chinese American. He argues that a “Chinese-American” does not recognize a citizen, but rather a transaction between two parties. And even the label “American-born Chinese” suggests an upbringing more rooted in Chinese culture, instead of one that takes into account the influences of a United States setting.

As the Asian American population continues to increase, America has begun to take notice. NPR’s Code Switch blogged about upcoming fall television shows featuring Asian Americans. And the Huffington Post shared the stories of some earlier Chinese Americans.

Listen to Think, Monday through Thursday at noon and 9 p.m., on KERA 90.1 FM or via online streaming.