Model Minority Myth (MMM)
I was expected to do well in math. By the time I was in junior high school, I was enrolled in “modern math!” I was expected to do well in science too. My father bought me a dry cell battery to experiment with electricity. Throughout my early schooling, I was expected by everyone to excel in school. But by the time I completed all of my formal schooling, I majored in psychology, philosophy, theology and education. In fact, I even failed in statistics one time.
A myth is a widely held false belief and idea. Seeing Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) as a monolithic group suggests that everyone excels in math and science. It’s a myth because this Chinese American surely did not.
AAPI generally are called the model minority (Petersen, 1966). The American system uses this myth as an example for other people of color (POC) to emulate. This MMM serves as a functional myth to create a wedge between AAPI and other groups of POC. This perpetuates suspicion and fighting among POC ultimately excusing whites and the American system from being responsible for racism, white privilege, misogyny, gender identity, economic inequities, as well as a host of other issues. MMM keeps us busy fighting each other.
The dramatic incidents of hate and violence targeting AAPI since the former president stigmatized AAPI as the virus creates an open season for anyone who looks like an AAPI can be victimized. Today’s anti-Asian hate is just another example of America’s long history of viewing AAPI as forever aliens and subhuman. Why has it been necessary for me to answer the question, “Where are you really from?” If I refuse, I fear to be seen as a foreigner. If I concede to answer, I enable someone to his unentitled privilege. Perhaps I should go around asking everyone I meet, “Where are you really from?” before I have a conversation? Now AAPI are model examples of xenophobia.
AAPI are used as a model, refused as citizens, and abused as scapegoats.
The last time I checked, AAPI are still a minority in numbers in the US but there are many Asians of different nationalities in the world. It would be an honor to say, “What a great model you are!” but not as a wedge to divide the human family. Let’s stop telling myths about people that create divisions. Let us tell biblical stories, folktales, and legends that everyone is created in the image of God. The model minority is God’s people seeking truth, love, and peace for all people. And that’s not a myth!