The "Race still matters" info graphic was very eye-opening for me. Actually quantifying how people of color are at a disadvantage in terms of education (including Asian Americans) made for a powerful and effective statement.
It made me realize that the whole "Asians are smart" stereotype does more than make us dimensionless. It erases the groups of Asian Americans, such as Southeast Asian students, that are not receiving enough resources to more likely move on to higher education. Fall quarter, someone was sitting behind me in Chemistry, talking to their friend about their high school experience. They talked about how Asians were always at the top of the class, how they didn't stand a chance if Asians were going to be there. "Dude, Asians are hella smart," they probably said.
This stereotype helps create the idea that Asians are the ones to beat, never mind that there are struggling Asian Americans out there who are less likely to receive the resources they deserve if Asians are seen as too smart to need any more help.
Question: What is the best way to respond to someone making a joke about how smart Asians are? Or do you think it's no big deal/not worth thinking too much about?
Felicia Peng
Section A01
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