Roots

de Amy Tachiki

A documentary collection of the experiences of Asian Americans from a multitude of perspectives, including a scholarly focus and also containing contemporary expressions, comprises "Roots: An Asian American Reader." The volume is said to be designed to meet the needs of Asian Americans by providing a compilation of materials in readily accessible form. Three major sections (Identity, History, and Community) encompass 61 contributions. The bulk of the Identity section deals with Asian American stereotypes and the changing relationships of Asians to them. The central section deals with the history of Asian Americans dating from the emigration period to present times. The Community section of the reader focuses upon three interrelated aspects of the Asian American communities: perspectives on community concept and community organization, analysis of community problems, and documentation of the Asian American movement. This volume is held to be focused on the attitudes, problems, and movements of Asian American youth. It is suggested that this focus be interpreted in light of the long struggle for justice and equality by generations of Asian Americans and in light of current Third World movements. Two questions believed not to have been adequately covered are the relationship of any ethnically based struggle to others, such as other ethnic groups or economic class-oriented ones, and that of the problem of maintaining a cultural heritage.