One of the main themes in “Asian Americans Are Still Caught in the Trap of the ‘Model Minority’ Stereotype. And It Creates Inequality for All” written by Viet Thanh Nguyen is about how Asian Americans are caught in the Model Minority stereotype. The model minority is when a small number of a minority group achieves a higher degree of socioeconomic status than the rest of the average. Thus causing the rest of society to use that model minority as a reference point to hold the rest of the group members. This is a dangerous label because it is an unfair representation of the group. If you only look at the top part of the group who is thriving you are unfairly judging the rest of the group. It serves the racist in America who use the model minority as a reference point for all other members of the group, and when they don’t achieve model minority status you are looked down upon. They look at the model minority and expect everyone else to follow the exact path that they took to the top, but in reality that isn’t possible. They put all the blame on the individual who doesn’t achieve the model minority status, but in reality, they should be looking at the real problem which is the racist system.
Nguyen says that “the end of Asian Americans only happens with the end of racism and capitalism.” because it is part of the system that allows racism; capitalism has helped those at the top and creates a need for cheap labor and helps keep those at the bottom from rising to the top. He says how “America is built on the business of driving other businesses out of business. This is the life cycle of capitalism.” He is lead to believe this because he has seen it with his parents. His parents were successful capitalist until they were driven out of business.
This essay challenges my thinking of minority groups because you would assume that everyone part of that group shares similar beliefs. In reality, we are all individuals so it is unfair to look at any two people as the same, especially based on the fact that they belong to the same social group. We must do better as a society to start viewing people as individuals instead of as part of society.
I agree with you on your take of the individuals instead of looking at them in a society. There’s limitless reasons for everything and no two people are the same to compare them.
I enjoy reading your analysis of the model minority. I think society has been formatted in a way that blinded people towards the racism that Asian Americans faced. Because of years of Asian Americans supporting white supremacy due to their foreign status, society has reasoned by Asian Americans’ success in the US is because they support the oppression of the black community. However, in doing so this creates more tension between the BIPOC community and blinds the Asian American community from the bits of racism they face daily. I think the title “model minority” is dangerous because it erases the racism that Asian Americans face and is harmful to the fight against social injustices. And this is all due to how society characterizes individuals through a general societal prespective.
It seems to me that whenever there is a hierarchy involved in a society, racism or other forms of oppression also follow it. Hearing your take on the definition of model minority and why it is dangerous, I saw how groups that emphasize hierarchies are usually the ones to oppress those below them. Good work.
I agree with your explanation on how the model minority is a dangerous label. Not only is it used against Asians in politics and for racist groups, but it also causes people to look down on individuals who may not fit the stereotype. I also thought your last paragraph about viewing people as individuals and not as part of an ethnic group was a strong message that everyone should take into account.
I strongly agree with what you said about how it’s unfair to look at any two people and assume they are the same just because they are apart of the same group. Everyone has their lives with their own struggles, and it isn’t fair to assume that if one of a group of a people are doing okay, they all must be.