Trespassers

Dear Willow,

I am really enjoying your informative book on Asian Americans and the "battle for suburbia" as you call it. As an Asian American living in the Bay Area, I am familiar with many of the locations you mention, and can better understand specific instances of white flight. In fact, I live in Danville California, a very white town that embodies suburbia and signature whiteness. With Danville's mainly high income residents- including rapper E-40 and the actor who plays Mr. Bean- comes a great wealth of resources and opportunity. Danville schools top the charts, which has lately been attracting more Asians. As schools continue to earn high ratings due to success-bound students of rich parents, Indians and Asians from our neighbor town (San Ramon) are slowly moving inwards. Whereas 8 years ago my family was the only family of color in our very white neighborhood, almost half of our court is now either Asian or Indian. Interestingly enough, the subtle but definitely existent movement of Asians has pushed out many white people, perhaps due to the fact that schools are getting more competitive thanks to the Asian mentality towards academics.
It will be interesting to see how the suburbia of Danville reacts to the new migrant patterns in the years to come.

Thanks,
Sarah

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