The term Model Minority and what it has to do with Asians (Specifically Asian-Americans)

1.16K views

I’m hearing different definitions of it but I never had a clear explanation. Thanks.

Edit: I forgot to mention that some Asian people and Asian activists have a problem with this. Yesterday, I found out that “**RE** model Minority” is a thing now.

In: Other

3 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

Folks in the so-called “Model” minority have every right to be opposed to the concept. It’s rarely used as a compliment to the supposed model group, instead it’s an insult towards other minority groups and a justification for treating them badly:

Basically: “If you (blacks/Hispanics/Muslims/etc) were more compliant and better behaved and stayed in school like Asians do then we wouldn’t have to treat you so badly”

Of course it’s bullshit, and even aside from the highly problematic implications for both the “model” group and the other group there’s pretty strong historic precedent that being a “model” minority doesn’t do a damn thing to stop a minority from being treated badly. For example Jewish folks would often match the description too, but time after time in the absence of other minorities the majority group starts to go “the Jews seem to be doing pretty well… a little too well.. it must be because they’re stealing from the good hardworking Christians”

You are viewing 1 out of 3 answers, click here to view all answers.