Final answer:
The term 'Japanese-American' in the text evolves from identifying a group facing discrimination to a term of heritage and complex identity, amid stereotypes and racism.
Step-by-step explanation:
Throughout the text, the use of the term "Japanese-American" reflects the evolving understanding and acknowledgment of their history in the United States. Initially, this term might just identify a group subjected to the California Alien Land Law of 1913 and the unjust internment during World War II. Yet, over time, it distinguishes the heritage, loyalty, and contributions of Japanese Americans, despite persistent challenges such as the "model minority" stereotype and invisible racism. The term grows to represent not just an ethnic identity, but part of a racial label that experiences pluralized meanings and a pan-ethnic identity, as noted by Jerry Z. Park in his study. This evolution underscores the complex nuances of identity, collective history, and the experience of racism that challenge simplistic categorizations.