A model minority is a demographic group that is expected to attain a higher general socioeconomic status and higher educational achievements than other demographics. Through evaluations of levels of education, income, financial stability, and crime rates, Asian Americans are considered the model minority in the United States. Although this stereotype seems positive and uplifting, this label has burdened Asian Americans for many years and prompts others to disregard the many struggles that Asian Americans face. 

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The concept of a model minority stemmed from the time Asians began to immigrate to the United States during the mid-twentieth century. During the Civil Rights Movement, there was a strong push for equal rights and justice for marginalized communities. To end this massive support for racial equality, Asian Americans were officially acknowledged as the model minority; this allowed Americans to perceive that white people were not privileged because a minority racial group was able to acquire higher level occupations, start businesses, and eventually, climb the socioeconomic hierarchy. Other racial minorities in America were then compared to Asian Americans and their voices were dismissed because this model minority myth upheld the false reality of meritocracy in America. 

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It is extremely common to see how Asians are portrayed as intelligent and successful in the media and this perpetuates a positive image of Asian Americans. However, there is no such thing as a “positive stereotype.” This high expectation is actually harmful because it prompts indifference to the hard work and effort that Asians put into their academics, careers, and work. A study at the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA reveals that “higher levels of endorsement of positive Asian stereotypes were related to more somatic complaints and higher levels of psychological distress.” This is because Asian students feel embarrassed to seek help when they cannot complete school work independently. In addition, employers set higher standards for Asian Americans which prevents them from being promoted to higher positions. Hence, Asian Americans feel ashamed when they aren’t meeting the burdening expectation that society forces upon them. 

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Another harm that the model minority myth brings to the Asian community is that it reinforces the idea that Asian Americans are all the same. It is imperative to recognize that the Asian American community consists of various different communities within itself. However, this harmful misconception fuels the idea that all Asians are the “same,” which disregards the different struggles that various Asian communities face. 

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Here are multiple steps that we can take to dismantle this harmful myth:

1. Raise awareness and educate others
2. Advocate for Asian representation in media and US history textbooks to acknowledge the struggles that Asian Americans face
3. Understand that there are differences within the Asian community
4. Do not let this misconception tear apart solidarity between minority groups