my answer:
When it comes to the Asian American ethnic group, there is a general tendency to consider them as one homogenous group despite their diversity in geography, language, and culture. A reason for this might be because of the similar physical features that are assumed of the group, such as eyes, hair, skin color, and body shape. Another reason might be because of the way they are largely presented in the mainstream media of Western societies. Often times, the varied experiences of different Asian American communities are not well represented in these media channels, leading people to believe that they all experience the same things. Another potential factor for the homogenization of Asian Americans is the way they are traditionally studied in schools, making connections between different cultures rather than educating students on the cultural nuances of a particular group.
Furthermore, Asians themselves can also contribute to this misconception. There are many cases where East Asians may hold beliefs that they are superior to Southeast Asians. Alternatively, Southeast Asian Americans may hold their cultures with more significance than East Asian cultures, leading to expressions of anger and resentment towards each other.
To conclude, Asian Americans are thought of as one homogeneous group because of the perceptions Western countries have built up about them, outdated educational frameworks, and the internal divisiveness within the community itself. Educating ourselves on the diversity that exists within the Asian American identity can help us to better appreciate these rich cultures and the people who belong to them.