By Tong Lee, Senior Manager of Retention and Database, and Nhan La, Communications Intern
Reading time: Two minutes
This blog post is the second of a two-part series written in recognition of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Check out the first post here.
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, a celebration of AAPIs in the United States. Congress selected this month to commemorate the immigration of the
first Japanese person to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869, where many workers were Chinese immigrants. Despite the contributions of early Asian immigrants
and different waves of AAPIs making our country home, a legacy of xenophobia and racism still lingers, particularly with recent acts of anti-Asian hate. With regards to education, the "model
minority" myth continues to be used to eliminate affirmative action while also misconstruing a real need to disaggregate data for the various groups of ethnicities that comprise AAPIs.
For context, the model minority myth is a term coined to stereotype AAPIs as a monolithic, polite, law-abiding group excelling in education and finding
socio-economic levels of success. Like all stereotypes, it is harmful in multiple ways. First, it erases the identity of the individual by grouping a diverse population together into a singular experience, ignoring the distinct cultures, languages,
religions, and histories that define them. Second, it is harmful to social justice movements, as it masks the centuries of systemic discrimination against AAPIs. In the
fight for affirmative action, AAPIs are oftentimes used to create a wedge within communities of color by creating a hierarchy where AAPIs are often presented at the top.
The reality for us is far more different and complex. As Southeast Asian born, first-generation college, soon-to-be graduate and graduate women, our lived experiences are shaped by a union of two cultures; of being the "other" while simultaneously a model
minority; and forging our own paths against expectations. This AAPI Heritage Month, lets recognize what AAPIs contributions and embrace what makes us different.
Want to learn more about the model minority myth? Check out these additional resources and readings:
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