Shattering the Model Minority Myth
- Drew Carcellar
- Jul 11, 2020
- 7 min read
Updated: Jul 30, 2020
Throughout quarantine, I’ve spent time pondering on issues that have been prevalent in the country. We have the ongoing Black Lives Matter protests and online demonstrations against ICE. These are just some of the many social issues that have been touched upon during the past months. I applaud our will to make a difference for society and the following generations. Now is a crucial time for the US. We are shedding light on the mistakes and intolerant acts of our community. I hope to talk about a myth that has influenced the way others have seen me and through this.
“Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.”
-Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
When people find out that I’m an Asian American of Filipino descent, I usually find myself answering interesting questions. They often ask me “Can you say hello in Tagalog?” or “What Filipino dish would you recommend for me to try?” One particular statement is never off the list of these never-ending questions though. People never fail to ask me, “So are you excelling in every aspect of your life?”. At first, I didn’t mind this being brought up. When it came to the point where it was a definite part of my conversations with others, I began to see it through another perspective. These people quickly assume that I’m that stereotypical Asian American student who lives up to the model minority myth’s standard. In case you might not know it, this term is a phrase used to describe the success of Asian Americans in different ways. It coins how our community is socioeconomically successful. Not every Asian American individual or family is how you perceive them to be. This myth brings nothing but prejudice and problems for the underrepresented Asian American community. It can be seen as a form of intolerance and racism for another group in the United States. This does REAL damage, and it has to be ended NOW.
Most people are unaware of the model minority myth. It isn’t that story that gets highlighted in the news or is talked about. Allow me to explain this so you can understand it. The model minority myth generalizes the perception of the Asian American community. I would refer to it as an indirect way of racism that misrepresents us. It stereotypes all Asian American students as those “nerds” who only focus on their academics and educational activities. We are thought to be straight A students. This also includes how we are perceived to enter STEAM-related jobs. It depicts Asian Americans as studious individuals who only care about getting accepted to a reputable university or being hired to a high-paying prestigious job. This labels Asian families as strict towards their children. It is where the phrase “tiger mom” comes from. People think of them as parents who get mad when their child gets lower than an A. It portrays all Asian Americans as successful people. We are looked upon as people who have the same traits, personalities and capabilities. If I were to explain this myth in a sentence or less, I would say that it misrepresents us because it makes intellect and success necessary traits for the Asian American community.
The model minority myth comes with a tremendous burden for Asian Americans. It comes with the rigorous challenge of living up to people's high standards. We are expected to achieve high marks at school, attain the highest degree possible and get a good paying career. They presume that we can pick up a new language, graduate first in our class or get a leadership position in a job. People tend to think of us as successful people when it comes to our academics, finances and social life. Honestly, I have to say that we have been victims to this issue. As someone who has been a part of this stigma, I could assure that it stresses us out and drags us down. It makes a difference in one's mental health, sociability and emotions. This creates a feeling of alienation as it makes it a struggle for some individuals to fit in. Suicide, stress and depression are some of its negative consequences. This erases our individual identities since we are forced to be acknowledged through the model minority myth. The way people perceive us differently and portray us in the media only makes the stigma worse. Many people choose to make close-minded remarks or jokes regarding this issue. More are not informed of this. It is rarely brought up and isn’t talked about, even in the growing Asian American diaspora. In times today where society is trying to fix every problem they see, I believe that it is the perfect time to address this. As I’ve already stated earlier, this hasn’t really been brought up but I hope that more people become aware of this problem. We should try to make a better change as we fight to make the country better for minority groups and people of color. Now is the perfect time to shatter these stereotypes and generalizations as we take steps forward.
I would really appreciate it if you read every single one of these statements. Think of how Asian Americans are perceived and try to understand this. Not every Asian American you’ll meet is mathematically proficient or is currently attending medical school. Not all Asian Americans play numerous musical instruments or would have a doctorate degree. All of us can’t be doctors, nurses, lawyers or entrepreneurs you’ve envisioned us to be. We will never be the stereotypical Asians that you usually see on TV or the internet. Asian Americans are not all straight A students or the bosses in their respective careers. Indeed, most, if not all of us value education and the opportunities brought upon us, but it is impossible for every single one of us to meet those expectations. It is a challenging task to become the typical Asian American embossed in the minds of other people. Growing up with strict parents is hard enough. Include the challenge of assimilating and living up to the life people assume you’ll have, that just makes it worse.
“I am fed up with being stereotyped as a subhuman or superhuman creature. Some are superachievers, most are average citizens and a few are criminals. They are only human - no more and no less.”
-Philip Chie, Asian American writer
Meeting these expectations may seem fulfilling but it comes with a price. Who wouldn’t want to become their class’ valedictorian or make six figures annually? Success comes with a price, and it takes a toll on who you are. I have to admit it, I’ve sometimes felt that all my efforts to become the person that I am today isn’t all worth it. The model minority myth affects how others see our victories and how we see ourselves. It is extremely difficult since we need to deal with pressure from our families, high expectations and stress. We are criticized for either aiming high or not giving our best. Some of my peers have called me an overachiever and a “try hard”, yet even had the guts to compliment me so I choose to work with them in a project. The contradiction! People have become close-minded since they have relied on the model minority myth to define the entire Asian American community. Their intolerance gives them a generic perception of Asian Americans. Our success shouldn’t be determined by how people see us, it should be made and defined by us. We shouldn’t let others define what it is to be an Asian American. People should see this through another lens so we can end the stigma and misrepresentation. Open-mindedness and acceptance are the keys to make a greater difference that benefits all.
The model minority myth isn’t the proper way to look upon the Asian American population. We all have different strengths, abilities, talents, skills and lifestyles, so don’t even try to think that we’re the same. Asian Americans are a diverse group of people. From our ethnic backgrounds, mother tongues, traditions, cuisine, culture and in so many ways as well! I believe that the model minority myth takes away the beauty of our diversity. The generalization society has made puts each of us in a strict sphere that defines what it really means to be Asian. This is, irrefutably, a major obstacle that blocks us from completely changing and achieving racial justice or equality. Us, Asian Americans, can start by embracing our own identity and being confident about it. We have the power to define ourselves, to choose how we want to live our life and not be ruled by other individuals’ judgements or thoughts about us. For a long time, the model minority myth has been a basis on what it means to be a true Asian American. We should prove to society that this doesn’t apply to all of us! Along with this, we should hope that it gets brought up on different mediums so society could ultimately change its ways and mindset for the common good.
“Each one of us can make a difference. Together, we can make a change.”
-Barbara Mikulski
Misrepresentation of Asian Americans through the model minority standard has to end. Together, we must work together in order to fix the mistakes from the past in order to create a better future. For now, I would like you to try making a difference by spreading awareness on this issue. You can start by learning about the differences between our cultures and traditions, or you could educate yourself by conducting a study session on the history of Asian Americans. Each of us can learn more about this by reading articles and sharing our opinions about the model minority myth. Also, try reaching out to your other Asian American friends. Learning about their experiences and thoughts about this would help. I would like to end this blog by stating this, “I’m Asian American and I’m not defined by the model minority myth”. That simple yet powerful statement is my way of ending the myth’s control over me. I’m hoping that everyone takes the step and helps to end this.
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Thank you for taking the time to this! I hope you found it interesting and informative. Feel free to check out everyone else’s articles! The team has a wide array of interests and I’m sure you’ll find a post that you would appreciate. Please look forward to our future blogs!
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