May is the month dedicated to celebrating the rich culture, history, and influence of Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPI). Every year this time, we come together to honor the diverse contributions of AAPI individuals in shaping the cultural and social
landscape of the United States. AAPI’s unique culture, language, and heritage have long enriched our country’s diverse picture. Many of our nation’s most significant construction and infrastructure achievements were built on the labor of AAPI immigrants,
such as the transcontinental railroad. As we take this time
to acknowledge their contributions, let’s also educate ourselves about the manifold ongoing struggles faced by the AAPI community, such as systematic racism, harmful stereotypes, and disparities in higher education.
Last year, my colleagues wrote an article debunking the model minority myth, which has contributed to the exclusion of AAPI
from the diversity, inclusion, and accessibility framework. This myth characterizes AAPIs as a polite, law-binding, and monolithic group who have achieved a higher rate of educational and socioeconomic success than the general population, not to mention
other ethnic and racial minorities. It creates a misleading narrative about AAPI’s collective success that invalidates the diverse experiences across different AAPI ethnic groups and undermines efforts to address systematic barriers affecting the
community. In addition, the harmful stereotype that portrays AAPI students as “smart,” well-off,” and “able” to excel in school leads to them being further excluded from diversity, inclusion, and accessibility resources and initiatives. The struggles of students from disadvantaged backgrounds,
such as Pacific Islanders and Southeast Asians, are often overlooked. By recognizing the flaws of this model minority myth, we are taking a crucial step toward fostering an equitable and inclusive society for all.
Unfortunately, a month after that article was published, on June 26, 2023, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) declared race-conscious college admissions practices (also known as affirmative action), policies that prevented unlawful discrimination and granted students of color, including AAPIs, equitable opportunities in college admissions, unconstitutional. The response
to this decision within the AAPI community was mixed. Those who believed in meritocracy celebrated the ruling, while many others expressed their disappointment and solidarity in support of race-conscious admissions practices. A study from the Pew Research Center in the month leading up to the SCOTUS’ decision revealed that more than half of the AAPI population had heard of affirmative action and said that “it is a good thing.”
Race-conscious admissions practices are not intended to favor one group over another; rather, they aim to recognize and combat the historical oppression targeting students of color. While the model minority myth has traditionally portrayed the AAPI community
as universally successful and high achieving, equating intelligence and the ability to succeed academically with college attainment is a dangerous oversimplification that diminishes the nuanced experiences of many AAPI subgroups. Pursuing higher education
is a dream but also a challenge for a majority of Pacific Islander and Southeast Asian students. Only a small percentage of these groups are admitted to colleges and universities every year in comparison to other groups.
Many Pacific Islander and Southeast Asian students are first-generation college-goers from immigrant and/or low-income backgrounds, thereby facing not only language barriers but also a lack of college application guidance and financial challenges. For
these students, access to expensive prep materials and tutoring classes, which can help improve their standardized test scores, is often out of reach. The absence of mentors and institutional support also leaves them navigating the complex system
on their own, further obstructing their journey to pursuing higher education. Additionally, some struggle with finding a balance between schoolwork and family responsibilities, resulting in stress, burnout, and other mental health challenges.
As a Southeast Asian, first-generation, and soon-to-graduate student, I have personally experienced these hardships. At nearly the end of my college journey, I still remember the struggle to afford the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) prep materials, relying
instead on inconsistent free prep classes. Moreover, I did not have any support in completing the rest of my college application. I had to navigate everything on my own while dealing with the guilt and anxiety of, “what if my application is not good
enough to get me into college?”
For my colleague, Tong Lee, who is also a first-generation Southeast Asian graduate, it was the struggle of lacking guidance for college and financial aid applications. She recalls not knowing what resources are available for her to navigate the application
process and having to rely on the lead of her friends who had older siblings in college. As a result, she missed the opportunities to visit schools during multicultural weekends. Additionally, Lee struggled with estimating the cost of attendance,
leading to her underestimating the cost beyond the sticker price. These challenges often exacerbate the pressure that AAPI students face even before entering college.
Race-conscious admission policies are essential for addressing the barriers in higher education that many AAPI students encounter, particularly those who lack adequate support to navigate the college admission process. These policies help mitigate systematic
disadvantages that have historically prevented AAPI students from achieving their dreams of pursuing college degrees. As we celebrate this year’s AAPI Heritage Month, it is crucial to recognize that a significant number of AAPI students, especially
those from first-generation, low-income, and immigrant backgrounds, still struggle with completing the latest Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, application and securing resources to support their education. By acknowledging these
barriers and advocating for inclusive practices, we can ensure that underrepresented students can succeed in their higher education endeavors.
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