nomic ties to their homelands: "The 'development' (or 'redevelopment') of Chinatowns, Japantowns, and Koreatowns in California were all largely supported by Asian capital" (Ishi, 1991, p. 125). Because of the proximity of Mexico to the American border, Mexican-Americans also retain strong business and family ties with their home country. In contrast, many Irish Americans who have established themselves in the United States find it difficult to maintain their linkages to Ireland. As one Irish American immigration worker laments: "Some Irish Americans have a vision of Irish people that is very outmoded" (Ungar, 1995, p. 339).
Participation in politics is another feature that distinguishes ethnic groups in America. Irish Americans are perhaps the most politically active ethnic group in the country. The most famous Irish American politician was the late president John F. Kennedy. Increasingly, African-Americans are becoming actively involved in politics. African-American candidates have run for all major political offices in the country and are represented in the nation's Congress, and state and local governments. Asian-Americans and Hispanics have been less visible in politics, and to an even lesser extent Native Americans.
Upward mobility is a characteristic of most ethnic groups. Of the groups mentioned above, the Irish and Asian-Americans have had the most success in economic terms. Today, the overwhelming majority of Irish Americans are born in the United States. Whereas many of their parents held blue-collar jobs, today's Irish Americans enter the white-collar fields: "Irish Americans, who earlier found the road to success started on the police force, now enter the legal profession" (
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