“No matter the length of time South Asian American individuals and families have resided in the United States, they are perceived by many to be foreign, dangerous, and unaccepting of American values.”
Bajaj et al (2016) pg. 490

The term “American” can be a complicated one, especially when put into the perspective of the concept of the “perpetual foreigner.” What does it mean to be American, and when can a person consider herself American? Does being American have anything to do with length of residency, immigration status, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, or values? If the United States is truly the “melting pot” or “salad bowl” of the world, why are some people inherently barred from claiming this identity?

Even the last part of this quote can be a bit confusing and ambiguous without clarification. If South Asian Americans are believed to be unaccepting of “American” values, then what exactly are American values? In this case, do American values refer to the values of middle class, White Americans? Why is this group any more American than a family from India that has immigrated to the United States?

I realize that this post is basically just a laundry list of questions, but the (very real) idea of the perpetual foreigner seems so contradictory compared to what the United States actually is. With the exception of Native Americans, this is basically a country filled with “foreigners.” There are lots of variables, such as how long certain families have been here, where they come from, what their native languages are, what their religions are, what their skin colors are, etc., but why do certain non-Native American groups get to be more “American” than others? In fact, I find that when many people use the term “American,” they are not even including Native Americans under this umbrella, but rather referring strictly to White Americans. So, what truly is an American?