How Stereotypes and Labor Shortages Lured Asians to the Sunshine: A Brief Historical and Demographic Review of Asian Americans in Florida.

Abstract

Asians began to arrive in Florida in the years after the Civil War, concentrated mainly in railroad construction, agriculture, and service sectors such as laundry, restaurant, and grocery business. Their population grew very slowly until after World War II, when the discriminatory immigration policies were finally lifted. The 1965 immigration reform act, openings of the Walt Disney World and other tourist attractions, the end of the Vietnam War, the thriving sunbelt economy, and the rapid population growth have all brought numerous new Asian immigrants to the southernmost state in America. Shaped by multiple waves of immigration and various socioeconomic factors, Asian Americans are among the fastest-growing census groups in Florida. Like in other parts of the United States, Asian Americans’ experiences in Florida are rich and diverse. Although the presence of Asian Americans in Florida may not be as historically significant as in California or New York, there is still a fascinating tapestry of endeavors that reflect their struggles since the late nineteenth century, as well as multiple contributions made by this dynamic demographic group in our multicultural society of today. This essay will first review the early encounters of Chinese and Japanese pioneers in Florida, then examine the development of Asian Americans after World War II and their rapid growth as reflected in recent census reports to highlight the progress made by Asian Americans in the land of sunshine often times against harsh and discriminatory practices