Section A01
Reading Reflection #3
Situating Asian Americans in the Political Discourse on Affirmative Action
Ohio State University is criticized for discriminating against Whites and Asians in favor of Blacks and Latinos.
In this article, writers Michael Omi and Dana Y. Takagi
explore the stance of Asian Americans on the issue of affirmative action. Where
Asian Americans stand on the spectrum of affirmative action is a complex
situation, as both the Right and the Left are essentially manipulating Asian
Americans into joining their movement. For example, the Right claims that
affirmative action needs to be eliminated as it racially discriminates against
"Asian or Caucasian Americans". In a way, the Right is sympathizing
for Asian Americans so that they can get the upper hand. The Left on the other
hand claims that affirmative action needs to be kept in order to maintain
racial diversity. However, even the Left seems to be primarily focused on
representing Blacks and Latinos, leaving Asian Americans out of their efforts.
It seems that these two groups dragged Asian Americans into the middle of the
debate for their own benefit and not because they really care about
representing Asian Americans in today's complex society. I find that Asian Americans, the “model minority”, are being blamed for their own success and for
the shortcomings of others. However, where Asian Americans stand on this
spectrum still remains unclear.
Despite the hazy boundaries between Asian Americans being
more “white” or “black”, I feel that whichever direction affirmative action
decides to go, Asian Americans will benefit in the end. With this in mind,
however, I think that Asian Americans must remove themselves from this spectrum
and find their own voice in this situation instead of being masked behind the egocentric
efforts of the Right and Left.
Question: Do you think affirmative action has "outlived its usefulness" in today's society? Do you think affirmative actions hurts or benefits Asian Americans?
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