The Myth Of the Model Minority

Asians. The intelligent people. The people who graduate with honors, and over 5.0 G.P.A.’s. Those whom belong in Ivy League schools. The individuals that are taking our jobs away from us. Many people believe these myths about Asian Americans. However, none of these stereotypes are true. Many Asian Americans are just as smart as a white blonde, however Asian Americans are held to a higher standard. This would be the myth of the model minority. The myth of the model minority renders Asian Americans as exceptional. This myth can be very damaging to Asian Americans, as well as other social groups.

The myth of the model minority makes the oppression of Asian Americans invisible. Society believes Asian Americans to be successful, and therefore they have no social needs that require help. For example, they lack the need for socially security, school grants or scholarships, and many loans. This could not be further from the truth. Many measure social success through median household income. However, this is misleading for Asian Americans. Asian American households are more likely to house more generations, than non Asian Americans. This means that there are more earning adults per household, thus increasing their median household income.

Educational successes as well as degree attainment are also used as measures of social success. Because Asian Americans are known to have higher degree attainment, ignorant individuals expect Asian Americans to hold the highest-level positions. However, this is a false assumption and referred to as the bamboo ceiling. The bamboo ceiling refers to Asian Americans being passed over for managerial positions, despite their higher degree attainment. There is a limit to the promotion of Asian Americans through the company. This is a racism that has existed for centuries, and shows no signs of leaving anytime soon due to the invisibleness of it.

The myth of the model minority is extremely dangerous to the mental health of Asian Americans. It puts unneeded stress on them, causing mental illness. Asian Americans have both higher suicide attempts, as well as, suicide rates than any other social group. This is due to the stereotype of Asian Americans being superior being so engraved into their minds. An Asian American feels that they are not able to “fail” due to the standing stereotypes around their race. However, many due not “fail,” they simply do not meet others unrealistic expectations.

The myth of the model minority also affects other minorities. When other groups “fail” they are often asked “why can’t you be like Asian Americans?” This puts stress on other minorities, because they too feel they can never be good enough. When a White American does not do as well as expected, they are told Asian Americans will always be better. This causes other minorities mental harm, by hurting their self-esteem. Other minorities are held to a standard that does not even exist, besides in unrealistic stereotypes.

I can relate to this stereotype, but in a rather opposite way. Many assume blondes are dumb, and cannot be both smart in academia as well as on the streets. Being a natural blonde all my life, many assume I am just as dumb as the next. I have worked all my life to prove this stereotype wrong, however it follows me everywhere. I took advanced classes in high school, graduated with over a 4.0, took college classes simultaneously with my high school classes, and yet no one truly believed I was capable of being so intellectually smart. I got into all the right colleges, and even received the Dean’s Scholarship, and yet I still was not good enough. It was baffling to me, how something as insignificant as my hair color automatically made me dumb. While many still look at me in shock when I say I am a first time freshman, with sophomore status and on the Dean’s list, I have learned to accept the stereotype and still continuously prove the ignorant people wrong.