The model minority refers to a group of people who are perceived as hardworking and more educated: “the desirable classmate, the favored neighbor, the nonthreatening kind of person of color.” The characterization of Asians being the model minority causes Asian Americans to feel a sense of belonging which doesn’t actually exist; they are still seen as foreign. This illusion however, causes them to align themselves with the whites and turn a blind eye to racism towards other minority groups. This label serves to further racism and promote stereotypes about other minority groups. Asian Americans who achieve high levels of education or wealth are used to contrast members of other minority groups amongst claims that hard work can help you rise to the top and if you don’t, it is the result of laziness. The title of model minority also causes Asians to brush off the racism they face in American society.
Nguyen states that “the end of Asian Americans only happens with the end of racism and capitalism” because Asian Americans play into the system that was created by whites and the title of the model minority. Capitalism exploits Asians for cheap labor to “help Americans live the American Dream.” And yet, foreign countries take the blame of taking jobs from Americans. This enforces the unacceptance as Asians continue to try and prove their Americaness and ability to contribute to society. This in turn causes an alliance with the whites and then furthering the model minority stereotype.
Being Chinese American, I have seen members of my own community fall into the “trap of the model minority stereotype.” Success is associated with hard work and thus not succeeding, can only be the result of not working hard enough. The essay highlights that this way of thinking is destructive for minorities who are all seen as not American enough by society.
Hi Nora, I align with your last paragraph the most. I have also seen a lot of my family members say that people who aren’t doing well just aren’t trying hard enough. Ususally, they associate this connection with other people of color and it truly exemplifies how destructive this way of thinking is. Like you said, minorities are already not seen as enough by American society. By furthering this model minority myth, there will never be a change in the way that people in America see minorities.
I agree with your point that Asians played a big role in American capitalism. The idea of using them for cheap labor so that businesses can keep more money is honestly a sad but true fact. That, along with driving them out of business to make room for more other American businesses, is a point that Ngyuen makes about Asians influencing American capitalism. Great writing!