Seeking to develop a theory of critical Asian-American legal studies, this work examines the current discourse on race and law, and the implications of postmodern theory and affirmative action, which have largely excluded Asian-Americans. The author sets out to show that the continuing debate surrounding multiculturalism and immigration in the United States is really a struggle over the meaning of "America", and how the construction of Asian-American-ness has become a necessary component in stabilizing a national American identity. This development, Chang argues, is harmful to Asian-Americans.