Racialized outsiders: AAPI lessons for South Korea’s multicultural education

Abstract

ABSTRACT This paper explores the historical experiences of Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) in the context of rising anti-Asian violence in the United States, exacerbated by former President Donald Trump’s inflammatory rhetoric during the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizing Herbert Blumer’s group position theory and Gordon Allport’s stages of prejudice, the study analyzes four key periods in AAPI history to reveal how they have been systematically marginalized and racialized as perpetual foreigners. The U.S. experience offers crucial insights for South Korea, which is undergoing significant demographic changes due to immigration. While the two countries differ in their historical and cultural contexts, both face challenges in integrating minority groups and preventing the entrenchment of social hierarchies. By adopting inclusive policies and promoting a more cohesive national identity, South Korea can avoid the pitfalls of systemic exclusion and build a more harmonious society.