Model Minority Myth

Dear Willow S. Lung-Amam,

I am curious about your interpretation of the model minority myth, what problems it presents, what impacts it has on society, and how it could be addressed. Firstly, I would wonder what the right way to combat such a stereotype would be. In the case of more negative stereotypes and more obvious forms of racism, many people would either claim that you should assimilate to show the ruling class that it is possible, or you need some sort of resistance, whether violent or peaceful. It seems that the model minority myth would claim that Asian Americans are already successfully assimilated. Is the strategy then one of direct protest? And if so, on what grounds do you protest? On what state action do you demand? It almost seems to be more of an issue of societal awareness, something that besides curriculums as common core is not grounded in state oppression. If, then, the model minority myth is not grounded in policy, do you then turn to combatting other acts of oppression? If so, what other instances of status quo oppression do you turn to?

Thanks,
Vaughan Siker

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