“Asian American” is a term used to describe American individuals who have origins in one or more of the 28 Asian nations that include the following:
| Bangladesh Cambodia China Indonesia India Japan Korea |
Laos Malayasia Pakistan The Philippines Sri Lanka Thailand Vietnam |
It is also important to note that there are a great many Asian ethnic groups within Asian nations to which people may identify, irrespective of national origin, such as the Hmong. The Hmong people are an Asian ethnic subgroup not represented by any particular nation, but whose diaspora is spread across large portions of China, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand.
“Pacific Islander” is a term used to describe native Hawaiians and others living in the U.S. protectorates, as well as American individuals with origins from one or more of the 19 Pacific Islands, which include the following:
| Fiji Guam Hawaii Marshall Islands (including the Chamorro People) Micronesia |
Northern Mariana Islands Palau Samoa Tahiti Tonga |
AAPI is therefore an inclusive umbrella term that seeks to connect and unify both the Asian-American and Pacific Islander populations in the U.S. and U.S. protectorates. At the same time, it is important to note the vast differences that exist within the AAPI population and the variety of languages, dialects, ethnic groups, religions, and cultural beliefs represented.