In "What Asian Americans
are Bringing to Campus Movements for Racial Justice," by Mark Tseng
Putterman, many of the topics that he draws attention to are issues that I have
personally thought about, as an Asian American. Often, when there are protests
centered around “minorities”, it seems that only the concerns of African-American
and Latino people are considered. There is a pervasive attitude that Asians,
while minorities, should not be complaining because of the “model minority”
myth that they are by large successful and affluent. Personally, I have always
felt like I would be unwelcome at events that aim to raise awareness about
minority struggles, simply because I am considered to be a part of a “model
minority”, and not this disadvantaged minority. However, there are still many
struggles that Asian Americans face in society, and in many cases these issues
are ignored, simply because the general public perceives Asian Americans as a
different type of minority than other minorities. I think this sort of division
is not beneficial to either minority group. Other minority groups are losing
out on a potential strong voice of support in the Asian American Community, and
Asian Americans are experiencing an environment where their problems are not
perceived to be important. This stems directly from the “model minority” myth,
and we must do our best to dispel this myth, and unite as minorities.
1. Putterman, M. T. (2016). What Asian Americans Are Bringing to Campus Movements for Racial Justice. Race Files. Retrieved November 12, 2017.
2. [Digital Image]. (Unknown). Retrieved November 12, 2017, from http://www.aafe.org/who-we-are/our-history/aafe-housing-is-a-right
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