Read the article below then answer the queston
Are Asian Americans a Model Minority? How is the model minority image a disservice to both Asian Americans and other subordinate racial and ethnic groups? How is the model minority image reinforced by images in the media?
Post 1 original written response (400-450 words) in paragraph format to the above questions.
Additionally, each student will be required to respond (200-250 words) to a minimum of 2 separate student responses
What to respond to
#1 student discussion post reponse: Asians are not a model minority. Though this concept may seem more “ideal” than other stereotypes, it is just as harmful as other overtly offensive ones. Any generalization about a group of people discredits the entirety of their character and forces unrealistic expectations that the group either needs to strive for or go against. This particular stereotype creates a disservice to Asian Americans by placing pressure on them to reach certain successes. It can lead to others discrediting the hard work (and often familial trauma) that has gone into their achievements, the harsh judgment when they aren’t able to deliver on expectations, or the racial violence that is also experienced. Additionally, Asian Americans can be seen as quiet, non-disruptive, and complacent. In the text, Schaefer states, “Although they have experienced prejudice and discrimination, they seem to have succeeded economically, socially, and educationally without resorting to political or violent confrontations with Whites” (266). This quote highlights just how convoluted the concept of the “model minority” is. In my own experience, there have been multiple occasions where people have told me, a Filipino American, that I am not a person of color, so I couldn’t have possibly experienced racial discrimination.
It is a disservice to other “subordinate” racial and ethnic groups when they experience discrimination that favors Asian Americans over them. This can entail anything from the historically higher chances of getting into a university or getting the job over another candidate that is just as qualified. Even in these instances, Asians can still face institutionalized discrimination when their experiences are compared to Caucasians. For instance, Schaefer highlights in the text, “APA family income approaches parity with that of Whites because of their greater achievement than Whites in formal schooling. If we look at specific educational levels, however, Whites earn more than their Asian counterparts of the same age” (267). Asian Americans are the model minority in the eyes of Caucasians because they appear to be “successful” contributors to their societies and establishments that can’t threaten their status due to the institutionalized discrimination that prevents equitable success.
This model minority image is reinforced by images in the media when Asians are portrayed as either the nerdy student who is good at math, the uptight friend, or the innocent one. This stereotype is now limited to comedic parodies, and there has been a more substantial effort to showcase the complexities of characters from different backgrounds.
Respond to peer#2: The idea of Asian Americans as a model minority is complex and controversial. On one hand, Asian Americans are often seen as a successful group with high levels of education, income, and upward mobility. According to Schaefer (2021), APAs constitute a model minority because, although they have experienced prejudice and discrimination, they seem to have succeeded economically, socially, and educationally without resorting to political or violent confrontations with Whites. On the other hand, this idea can be harmful and perpetuate stereotypes, ignoring the challenges many Asian Americans face and the diversity within the community. The idealized portrayal of minorities feeds stereotypes that Asian Americans are inherently high achieving and hardworking and that other racial and ethnic groups could achieve the same level of success if they just worked hard enough. This eliminates the structural discrimination and impediments that many minority groups experience and supports the notion that individual failure, rather than structural oppression, is to blame for their lack of achievement. Many Asian Americans perceive that admissions policies work against them…quota limits on the number of Asian Americans at highly selective universities and affirmative action that works against them by failing to consider them eligible. (Schaefer 2021:264) These stereotypes, although positive, put strong negative pressure on Asian American youth; if they are not succeeding in their education, then something is wrong with them. The model minority image places a burden of expectation on Asian Americans to perform at an exceptionally high level, which can lead to stress, anxiety, and burnout. This expectation can also lead to discrimination against Asian Americans who do not fit the model minority stereotype or who struggle with mental health issues or academic challenges. Incorrect views exclude APAs from social programs and conceal unemployment and other social ills (Schaefer 2021:266). Others who support the model minority concept are dismissive of Asians who ask for assistance or resources. The media often portrays Asian Americans as successful, high-achieving individuals in fields such as technology, medicine, and finance. This portrayal reinforces the model minority stereotype that Asian Americans are inherently intelligent and hardworking. While Asian Americans may be portrayed as successful in certain fields, they are often underrepresented in the media overall. This underrepresentation contributes to the idea that Asian Americans are a small, homogenous group with exceptional achievement. The portrayal of Asian Americans as high achievers, the underrepresentation of Asian Americans in the media, the lack of nuance in representation, the portrayal of Asian Americans as permanent foreigners, and the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes are all ways that media images frequently reinforce the model minority image.