Reading Reflection #3: The Perfect American who can't be American

The Perfect American who can’t be American

In response to "Complicating the Image of Model Minority Success: A Review of Southeast Asian American Education" by Bic Ngo and Stacey J. Lee

            In an earlier blog post, I mentioned the inherent danger of losing one’s personal identity to the group identity. This in turn creates the even bigger problem of stereotyping. Because all these people have a singular group identity, society can make over generalizations and stereotypes based on the groups action. Throughout the years, two Asian-American stereotypes have really perpetuated, the Model Minority Myth and the Perpetual Foreigner. Unfortunately, both of these stereotypes cause enormous strife and discrimination for Asian-Americans.

The Model Minority Myth claims that Asian-American immigrants have succeeded so well that other minorities should emulate them. The “data” used to prove the academic prowess of Asian-American students is very deceiving. The “data” typically highlights only the success stories and disregards the glaring achievement gap among the different Asian ethnicities. Similarly, stories of the economic success of Asian-Americans fail to mention the struggles recent immigrant/refugees face. The Model Minority Myth also pits the Asian-American communities against other minorities. As we discussed in lecture (4/9/2013), the “elite” whites use Asian-Americans as a token against the other minorities. Toting Asian-Americans as the “epitome of the American immigrant success story” (Ngo 422) creates friction amongst the minority groups.

Asian-Americans are also stereotyped as the "Perpetual foreigner," never fully belonging in American society. The friction amongst minority groups, for example, creates the illusion that Asian-Americans are not a minority group. At the same time, they are also not the majority group. So where do they belong? Not in American society obviously.

Additionally Asian-Americans are held to a different standard. We're expected to "excel because of our race" (Ngo 425). And the only reason we're so successful is because of different cultural values. Really?!?! I've never met a parent who didn't at least recognize the importance of an education. I've never met a parent who was happy with a report card filled with F's. Universally parents want their children to succeed. Even the success of Asian-Americans perpetuates the perpetual foreigner stereotype. According to the article, Hmong students are most successful when they maintain their native culture or ethnic identification (Ngo 432). In other words Hmong+American. We can’t be successful as just Americans. We have to keep part of us different.

Do you feel it is possible to become completely, 100% American?
Do you feel it is insensitive/rude/racist to ask someone "No, where are you really from?"

Linda Wei

Section A01