The main idea of this article is how Asians are seen as a model minority. A model minority is when a minority group rises above the others in socioeconomic status, and is seen as “better” than the other minorities, or as a “model” for them. This label is dangerous because it’s a standard that many other minorities have to live up to, to be seen as having a better status in a white-dominant society. This is also dangerous because it alienates Asian Americans, and it makes it so that they’ll always be seen as foreigners- the good foreigners, as the article states. Because of how this term alienates them, Asian Americans have to be more “white” to stand out as the good minority. So, although Asian Americans aren’t typically the target for today’s police brutality and outright racism, this doesn’t excuse the smaller comments and micro aggressions towards Asian Americans. Because this racism has become so normalized by society, it seems okay to harass Asian Americans over their identities. This is what leads to our President calling Covid-19 the “Chinese Virus” and other comments, and how a lot of people can see this as okay.
Nguyen says this because until capitalism and racism end, there will always be “Asian Americans,” and not just Americans. This creates the need for Asian Americans to always try to fit into society and become “Americanized.” Trying to be accepted, they side with the white majority, and are put against the other minorities, namely the Hispanic and Black communities.
This article shows how society truly tries to put people of color against each other. While the wealthy sit on their thrones, they watch as the minorities try their best to reach them. Society tries to put Asian Americans on a pedestal, but this only creates a deeper divide between us.
Its very odd how America’s racism is much different according to what ethnic group your apart of. Example its not bad to expect that a latino man would be an accountant, but to say that an asian is probably an accountant is, or to ask your friend Zhou to do long division in his head is far different racism then saying all mexicans are rapists and drug dealers. It’s like the white collar version of discrimination.
I liked how you mentioned Trump and how he treats the pandemic to further your point. There’s definitely prejudice in how he views the virus and it reflects the evident normalization of micro-aggressions towards Asians.
I do wish that people wouldn’t judge others based on color of appearance. I think everyone should just think of each other as human beings because that is what we all are. We as human beings have different personalities, and people should get to know others by meeting others to know who they truly are, but too personal.