Paper Proposal - Prompt One

Following my previous post, you have probably guess that the idea of the ‘Model Minority’ is a social issue that holds close to my heart so I have chosen prompt number one for this assignment. This model minority perspective hides the prejudice, racism, and resistance that were the reality of Asians. The notion of a “model minority” is linked to the broader systems of colonialism, modern imperialism, racism, and tries to hide the reality of being Asian in America. These systems try to erase the differences among individuals in order to create an image of a monolithic Asian race which leads to ignoring the disparities that exist among Asian groups. 

 The idea ‘Model Minority’ is often used as a means of perpetuating racism against Black people by creating a hierarchy of race where Asians land just under white people. The “Asian American” identity is often used as a model to show other oppressed groups that their struggles in this country can be overcome through hard work and perseverance, rather than a change in white America. I would like to dig a little deeper into this dichotomy to talk about why there is a difference in views on Black vs. Asian people and how historically these two groups have been wedged apart.

It is also particularly relevant to education because Asian students are often seen as performing better in certain subjects than other students. This assumption is dangerous and manifests a certain persona that is not true for all asian students. It can then lead to less resources available to Asians students and again be used against other oppressed groups to show that the issue is on the students rather than the system.

To highlight this issue that exist I will be using the main sources below to dissect the implications of the ‘Model Minority’:

1. The Color of Success: Asian Americans and the Origins of the Model Minority by Ellen D. Wu. I will be using bits and pieces from this book that tells a story of how America’s view of asians changed from being the ‘Yellow Peril’ to the ‘Model Minority’.

2. Chapter  5- Cold War Origins of the Model Minority Myth by Lee- This source goes into the historical context on the creation of the ‘Model Minority’ through imperialism and white supremacy.

3. Success Story, Japanese-American Style By William Pettersen- This is a New York Times Article written in 1966 that coined Asians in hopes that other oppressed groups will follow suits.

4. Why Do Democrats Feel Sorry for Hillary Clinton?- By Andrew Sullivan- I will be critiquing this article written in 2017 to show how Sullivan uses the notion of the ‘Model Minority’ as a tool to support his myths that Black people are insufficient.

Due to the hidden and suppressive nature of the ‘Model Minority’,  it is not often something talked about in race based conversations. Thus I would like to use this avenue as a way to highlight this issue.