Chapter 14-"Model Minority"

Chapter 14 mentions Asian Americans as being referred to as the “model minority” in the United States.  This is based on figures that point to this segment of the population as being less likely to be unemployed, less likely to be incarcerated, while being more likely to obtain higher forms of education; to hold high-end jobs. While these figures are certainly positive, I have a problem with the term “model minority”. For one, I don’t believe such a concept should exist  because it provides a very narrow and judgmental definition about what an “ideal” group of people should be—viewed through a lens that doesn't take into account, it negates, the full scope of what various minority groups contribute to society (clearly their contributions aren't always about money, income, etc.). The term also seems to sort of indirectly assume or suggest that minorities have certain negative connotations; perhaps that they are often poor, unemployed, or “non-contributing” members of society. Thus, based on the figures described in the book, Asian Americans are deemed exceptional because they more closely emulate what is considered desirable.

Yet, the other problem I have with the “model minority” reference is that it doesn't account for the differences between and within various Asian American minority populations. Obviously, not all Asian Americans fall statistically into the “model minority”. The book mentions how, for example, there are still Chinese Americans who continue to struggle economically; some do not have high levels of education and many work in menial sorts of jobs. For these people, as it is with numerous other groups, finding a way out of this life can be extremely difficult; one has to continue to work in low-paying jobs to support oneself, but can never earn enough to put him/herself through college. A similar predicament could be said for the Vietnamese people. So, the “model minority” notion is inaccurate, misleading and offensive.

And I also find the term interesting, if not ironic, when considering the long history of discrimination aimed at the Asian American community. There was of course the Asian Exclusion Act and later the Japanese detention camps via World War II. Then because China was a part of the Allied powers, they were all of a sudden an “acceptable” group and the exclusion act was lifted—but then the discrimination tables turned, with a focus on the Japanese. And the Asian discrimination effort continued with other Asian groups. Take the Filipino people, for example. The anti-Chinese and anti-Japanese sentiments back lashed on them. The book talks about how they even endured violence and were considered barbaric because of the tribal history in the Philippines. Despite being American nationals, the Filipino people were denied citizenship rights for some time. So, when considering the huge amount of discrimination inflicted upon various Asian groups in the United States, it seems ironic that later these groups have become known as the “model minority”. Again, completely offensive…