# Ethnic-specific discrimination: focus group findings of Korean American emerging adults

## TL;DR

This study explores how Korean American young adults experience and perceive ethnic-specific discrimination, especially in light of recent social events.

## Contribution

The paper introduces a qualitative exploration of ethnic-specific discrimination among Korean Americans, highlighting gaps in current racism measures.

## Key findings

- Participants felt stereotyped and conflated with other Asian groups, including positive stereotypes.
- Historic events like the pandemic and BLM protests increased awareness of racial and ethnic identity.
- Existing measures of racism were found to be inadequate for capturing ethnic-specific discrimination.

## Abstract

Disaggregating the Asian American racial category is crucial to understanding ethnic differences in discrimination. However, few studies have qualitatively explored perceptions of whether ethnic discrimination differs from racial discrimination.

We conducted three focus groups with Korean American emerging adults (N = 13) to explore perceptions of racial discrimination. After COVID-19 pandemic and the Black Lives Matter protests, we conducted a follow-up focus group. We combined these findings with collective auto and insider ethnography.

Participants described being stereotyped and conflated with other Asians, with some perceiving positive stereotypes as benign. They identified flaws in existing racism measures. Historic events appeared to heighten awareness of one’s racial and ethnic identity and awareness of systemic racism impacting all people of color.

Future studies may seek to revise discrimination measures to better capture ethnic-specific experiences and their implications for health.