The Model Minority Myth and its Negative Impact on the Asian American Community

The “Model Minority.” This phrase is used to describe Asian-Americans, and the inflicting stereotypes placed onto the community on a day-to-day basis. Many of us have heard of this myth, a myth that is used to feature those of Asian descent as a certain image whether physically or abstract. Although these stereotypes may be seen as unharmful -- even looked upon as having a positive impact on the Asian-American community-- they are quite the opposite.

Let’s first take a look at the origin of the “Model Minority” myth. It was first created after the US government established internment camps that were of use from 1942-1945 that Japanese-Americans were placed into after the events of Pearl Harbor. The thinking behind the created ideals about Japanese-Americans was that they were able to recover and rebuild their community after being racially profiled and taken away from their homes to be placed into camps during the war. The stereotypes were originally used as a way to discredit the struggles that Black-Americans faced. It was also a way to justify the history of racism in this country that was placed on all people of color. The goal was to compare the two different groups and how each of their individual struggles were faced. This was because Black-Americans were still struggling to rebuild from the poverty and bigotry created by the systemic oppression in this country. This helps express the negative aspects that this “Model Minority'' image creates looking back on the history and creation of the words.

Now, although the phrase was created for Japanese-Americans, it takes a toll on the rest of the Asian-American community, too. This is especially accurate for the East-Asian American community. For example, a stereotype that was created for Asian-Americans was that they all have the same physical features to portray everyone who is Asian to look the same.

Some stereotypes created for the “Model Minority” were:

• Asians are naturally good at math, science, and technology (naturally smart)

• Asians are very wealthy

• Asians are all hard-workers, self-reliant, and living the “American Dream”

• Asians are docile, submissive, obedient, and uncomplaining

• Asians are spiritually enlightened and never need help

While at first glance these stereotypes appear to be positive, they enforce a cultural expectation onto Asian-Americans which affects many young children and teens. The negative impacts include trying to prove one's worth in school because there is an invisible assumption that Asian-American teens have to do better in school than their fellow classmates. Trying to prove your worth at school does not only negatively impact mental health issues that are formed when trying to meet an expectation. It also impacts social life and the restrictive personality that many kids try to become or differentiate from.

From my experience, I have realized that being smart and proving that you are knowledgeable does not only help you gain recognition. It also causes others to want to take advantage of you. Many Asian-Americans know the feeling of being asked for homework answers or having someone become friendly with you just so you can help them with academics. Nevertheless, this can happen to anyone; but most cases are seen in Asian teens due to the harsh stereotypes that all Asians are smart and easily able to mess with. Along with being smart, there is a restrictive one-sided personality that many kids have to face in different ways. Proving one's worth in academics is very strenuous and unfair on its own, but then also having to try and change who you are/how you act to try and adapt the view others have of you is such a heavy additional burden to carry.

Aside from younger generations, these negative views also can affect those of older generations. They enforce the mindset that those who may have not been born in America are weaker or should hide from the racism and prejudice set against them. This is because others think that older generations of Asians should be “happy” that they live in America because their liberties and freedoms are greater here than where they might be from.

Another major disadvantage of the “Model Minority” takes effect in the workplace. One of the more well-known stereotypes is that Asians don’t need help, but this is wrong. This view leads to Asians being overlooked and less successful than their coworkers, since the effect of being overlooked leads to not being provided the growth needed to expand their roles in whatever job they choose to pursue. Typically, they are seen as “comfortable” or “fine” in the position they are in, compared to other employees who stereotypically might need more help. This mindset creates an inequality that many Asian-Americans face today. For example, 30% of the employees at the company my father works at (WorkDay) are Asian. Less than 5% have top leadership jobs and only 12% have management jobs. Very few Asian-Americans working at this company have leadership roles given the number working. This parallels corporate America, where Asians make up a lot of the workplace but are not equitably provided with the same opportunities.

Ultimately, the “Model Minority” myth silences and invalidates the voices of Asian-Americans, while also creating a rift among people of color. The phrase and views that come with it are so normalized that it is just looked over. Moreover, it is used as a way to degrade those of Asian descent when they don’t fit those specific stereotypes. Not only do ideals like the model minority harm Asian-Americans but it also harms other minorities and marginalized groups, too. This is because the effect and ideals of the model minority have become so generalized and normalized that other stereotypes like this go overlooked. Finally, the ideals of the model minority were originally created by white society. The fact that it is still applied to today's society reveals that the disadvantages and mistreatment faced by older generations have not led to progression toward change and new thinking. Minorities and marginalized groups are constrained by the more dominant white community even to this day.