2008 Woodie Awards
Web Extra: Model minority myth harms Asian American students
Veronica Schiebold
Issue date: 2/28/07 Section: News
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      "The Model Minority Myth is a stereotype of Asian Americans which depicts them as book-smart, hardworking, quiet and non-confrontational," said Delia Hom, assistant director of the Asian American Center.
      There is a perception, even among Asian Americans, that as a whole they are more likely to do well in college, be good at math and science, and succeed in their careers, Louie discussed in her presentation. The people who make these claims say that Asian Americans place more value on family and learning, and therefore are more successful.
      "These are the things we all grew up hearing," said Andy Huang, a freshmen business major.
      While this may not seem like a negative stereotype, Louie called it a "latent form of Orientalism." As a result, many Asian Americans feel as if they are not allowed to have problems, particularly academic ones, Louie said.
      Professors can heighten this effect because they often believe the same stereotypes. Louie suggested that some may even go as far as being more critical of work done by Asian Americans.
      A consequence of this stereotype is that many Asian Americans have academic needs that go unmet. It also has psychological effects, Louie said citing one university study in which they concluded that Asian American students were the most likely to attempt or commit suicide.
     Asian Americans are less likely to use mental health resources. This goes back to the perception that Asian Americans are not supposed to have problems, Louie said.
      "The stereotype can hurt people, because it forces them to fit into a mold," said Aki Maes, a freshmen nursing major.
      Other minority groups are often compared to Asian Americans, Louie said. Critics say that all minority groups have an equal opportunity, but do not yield equal results. This shifts the blame away from the system and the core of the problem, and places it on individuals and their ethnicity, Louie said.
      Hom said that this is an important issue that is not often talked about.
      Students agreed. Huang thought the event brought up issues that are ignored but that he always wanted to know about. The workshop gave him that opportunity.
      Louie said the Model Minority Myth has done nothing to help Asian Americans, but has instead caused harm.
      Middler political science major Sandra Hussey said the workshop gave her a greater understanding of the effects of the stereotype, and that she had "never thought of how Asian Americans often don't express their needs and problems" as a result of the myth.
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