Understanding the Model Minority Experience

I never really knew what the model minority myth exactly was. When I had heard about it from a friend, I thought the model minority myth was a GOOD thing. Asians are able to succeed and thrive in a white-dominant America. What could be so wrong about that?

And that’s when IAC stepped in. Caught in the middle of the divide between whites and African Americans, Asians are often alienated as perpetual foreigners. From Trump labeling the coronavirus as the Chinese virus to personal experiences of intense backlash, entrenched racism against Asians has only been exacerbated and brought to the forefront by COVID. Though the model minority myth may seem like a harmless ideology, it downplays the discrimination that Asians face and the pain that many have experienced, not to mention the outright murder of individuals such as Vincent Chin. While the general perception of Asians is one of success, there is a dearth of Asians in leadership positions and though Asian Americans boast the highest median income of any racial group, the largest income gap of any racial group also exists within the Asian population. Applied to the realm of academics, the model minority myth negates effort and is often used as an excuse. Take one of the liaisons who attested to others dismissing his hard work and attributing his success to his Asian identity.

IAC gave me the opportunity to reflect on my Asian identity. Because contrary to the assumptions of many, we are not the model minority. We do not all look the same. We are not all Chinese. We are not all straight A students. We are not all pre-med. We are a people group that endures discrimination just like every other minority. We are diverse. We are resilient. And we will never give up on standing up for our rights and the rights of other minority groups.