Finding ‘Home’ and Navigating ‘Cultural Precarity’: Grey Areas Between Racism and ‘Hate Crime’ Victimization Among Korean Businesses

Abstract

The United States has often been lauded for its reputation as a melting pot, embracing diverse cultures and backgrounds. However, beneath this outward display of diversity lies a more intricate reality illuminated by the experiences of immigrants. This study, which involved 19 interviews with first‐generation Korean immigrants operating small businesses in the United States, examines the diverse forms of discrimination and hate crime encountered by participants from various demographic backgrounds and immigration histories. These diverse perspectives, influenced by factors such as duration in the United States, gender, and age, contribute to a nuanced understanding of the challenges faced by immigrants before and during the COVID‐19 pandemic. The study also explores participants' experiences attributing the sources of challenges to neighborhood safety, grappling with issues related to racial background and language barriers, and contending with cultural precarity. The narratives vividly depict the multifaceted challenges within the business setting and daily lives of Korean immigrants. Significantly, these occurrences transcend differences in residency duration, age, gender, and personal experiences, emphasizing the need for nuanced and inclusive approaches to address discrimination effectively. Recognizing the shared impact of discriminatory practices across diverse individuals fosters a collective understanding, informing targeted interventions for a more inclusive and equitable society for Asian immigrants. Based on firsthand accounts and perceptions, the study discerns policy implications to comprehensively address these challenges among Korean/Asian immigrants in the United States.