The model minority myth was created to stereotype Asian Americans as the only successful minority group, while portraying other minorities such as African Americans and Hispanics as the exact opposite. Based on the readings and videos, you can see how society reinforces this myth. Ivy League schools such as Harvard and Yale mostly consists of White students and Asian Americans, and it’s not even just because they are smart students, it’s also because these colleges take in more Asian Americans due to the stereotype that they are smarter than other minorities. Hence why according to them. it’s better to accept Asians rather than other minorities. You can easily look up student demographics at these Ivy League schools, and see that there’s a clear racial disparity among the different racial groups at these schools.
While Asian Americans are seen as law abiding, successful, rich and etc, other minority groups such as African Americans and Hispanics are seen as the exact opposite. They are often seen as thugs in society, and anytime any member of the community becomes successful in any way, often people find it suspicious to how someone of that group could become successful. They are also more likely to be convicted of crimes because of that terrible stereotype place on them. That mentality is very toxic and racist, as no minority should be seen as superior but rather equal. As minorities we should stick up for one another and not reinforce these stereotypes.
As a Pakistani American, this model minority myth also applies to South Asians as we are commonly stereotyped as “nerds who are good in math, and etc.” Yes many of us are very smart and successful and that is good, but for those who do struggle in schools, they are pressured to fit into these stereotypes, and when they can’t they are shamed by the Desi community. This stereotype has to end, as success shouldn’t be based off of what society expects of you as being part of a certain racial group.
In conclusion, we need to drop this toxic stereotype, because not only does it make one group seem superior to other, but also brings down and shames the other minority groups.
