The Maliciousness of the Model Minority Myth

Asian Americans are well-behaved citizens. They have achieved socio-economic success. They perform well academically. They are the paragon for which all minorities should be compared to and are heralded in American society. This is the notorious model minority myth.

At first glance, the myth praises Asian Americans on their intellect and ability to persevere. In truth, this “positive” stereotype does nothing but harm the perception of all minorities and lead to the poor mental states of Asian Americans. Conceived after WWII, the model minority myth was always intended to compare Asian Americans against other minorities. In his 1966 article “Success story: Japanese American style,” sociologist William Petersen argued that Japanese-Americans, despite having been subjected to concentration camps, were more hardworking and rule-abiding than Blacks.

Readers believed Petersen’s propaganda even though he disregarded key points, including the centuries of systemic racism against Blacks and America’s history of anti-Asian rhetoric, as shown through the Chinese Exclusion Act. Soon after, the model minority myth cemented itself in society and transformed itself into a self-fulfilling prophecy. According to a 2019 study conducted by sociologists Szu-yu Chen, Tzu-Fen Chang and Kristy Shih, the model minority myth puts pressure on Asian Americans to succeed. But given that they are judged at a higher standard, Asian Americans must outperform their white counterparts to be perceived as equal. This phenomenon is especially prominent in the academic sector.

“Though it may have a positive effect on the way Asian Americans, like me, have pursued academic success, I think [the model minority myth] also creates unrealistic and often mentally draining standards for us to reach in a culture that still disadvantages ethnic minorities,” Portola High rising junior Megan Suhr said. “Not only does this give [America] an excuse to view general racial inequality as a lesser problem than it is, but it also specifically brushes off Asian American disadvantages as insignificant.”

The perception of necessary prosperity often overburdens Asian Americans and leads to mounting stress. In fact, it isn’t uncommon for Asian Americans to develop mental illnesses, such as depression, anxiety, and low self esteem, according to professors Arpana Gupta, Dawn Szymanski and Frederick Leong. Furthermore, since the model minority myth claims that Asian Americans do not require support, they become less likely to seek out professional help for their psychological issues.

The myth also generalizes Asians, grouping them regardless of ethnicity or individual experience. This is shown by the Brookings Institute, which reports that Cambodian-Americans have a poverty rate of 39% but are still considered as constituents of the model minority myth. Their economic situation negatively compounds with society’s expectations of Asians, exacerbating their hardships.

However, one of the most damaging consequences of the model minority myth is how it perpetuates the false notion that racism does not exist and that our society is meritocratic. It pits Asian Americans against other minorities, while upholding the idea of white superiority.

As Americans become increasingly aware of their nation’s pitfalls, it is time to start treating the model minority myth as what it is: a myth.