When the author first mentioned the idea of a model minority I had a difficulty understanding what was trying to be illustrated. And the way it was explained was done in such a manner that it allowed for an accurate depiction of what society as a whole is thinking yet till now had yet to be shown. Being a model minority is not about just doing well in a society that is racist towards you and your family. Being a model minority means being “a good (insert minority group here)” in a society that is racist toward you and your family.
It’s about coming to America in hope of a better life or fleeing unfortunate circumstances to rebuild a new life, while conforming to the racism and societal norms as an immigrant knowing one’s place. When the author mentioned the idea of being on the “shoulders” of African Americans it really put into perspective how we all stand on one another based on who got here first. At first, it was the natives who had to fight the invading British conquerors. Then it was the colonists persecuting the Irish for their religious beliefs. After were the Italians, Germans, and Russians, who would be executed and falsely imprisoned during the “Red Scare”.
And of course we can’t forget to mention how all these groups that came after, still took precedence and gained respect and economic prosperity over blacks. And even still today the first people to face the horrors of American history don’t own their land like the Asians, the whites, and the blacks do, no. their land is owned by the government. Their population has lower literacy and higher drug addiction than any minority group in America. Yet they quietly fight, like they always have. Maybe the reason we’re all plagued by discourse and illness and war is because we have systematically desecrated the land we conquered and sickend its people.
Much like some kind of karma to force us to face the demons we as a society hide in the deep recesses of our minds. After all, who wants to talk about racism and the police murdering the people they should be protecting? Who wants to talk about that? It’s an uncomfortable subject, and besides it’s bad for business, and that’s why Asians can be seen as a model minority, because they are expected to conform and do what’s right’ that way we can keep the status quo and once again sweep important and disturbing issues under the rug.
I feel like people should see the minorities like themselves, actual human beings. The thing is that everyone is different, and they view themselves in their own way. People should not assume that minorities are going to be same, because they don’t view themselves that way. All of us are human beings with different personalities and views, and that is what the world should be like, and people need to understand that.