Fighting for the “Model Minority"
When you think of an Asian person what comes to mind? Most people think ‘good at math, only eats rice, probably works at a nail salon or massage parlor.’ Perhaps shows like Fresh Off the Boat or Crazy Rich Asians come to mind. I want to broaden our perspective when imagining a “typical Asian person.” Because although many of us may have similar characteristics, cultures, and backgrounds - that doesn’t mean we are all the same.
I grew up in a rural southern Indiana town, as an adopted Chinese American woman I am very accustomed to being around people of other races, if not more comfortable than my own race. Since I was adopted I never really felt like I fit in because I’m not white but I didn’t really feel like I was Chinese either because I was raised by white parents. All throughout school, even into college, I grew accustomed to racist comments.
In early elementary school, I would be asked why my eyes were shaped differently, do I eat cat and dog, and when I supported my heritage, I was made fun of.
By the time I was in middle school, I hated being Asian. I hated the culture, the food, the way my eyes were shaped because it all made me feel like an outcast.
One time at a high school football game, I was physically attacked and punched in the eye by a white male classmate because I was Asian. There was a crowd of fellow students around, just watching and laughing. For the rest of that weekend I hid in my room. I never reported the student for bullying because I was too embarrassed and didn’t want to admit to anyone this happened.
I worked as a library assistant while in high school. One day, a white woman was talking about me to her children. She looked straight at me and said, “You would be dead on the side of the ditch or put into sex trafficking if you were still in China.” She and her children just laughed at me. At that moment I wanted to become invisible. I would have given anything to become white. I’ve never told my parents about this instance and sometimes when I go home to visit my family, I still run into this woman and her family, hoping to God they do not recognize me. Perhaps they wouldn’t recognize me, or maybe that woman forgot she ever said those horrible words to me. Even if she has forgotten, those words have and will be forever ingrained into my memory.
When I started college, I had a lot of hope things would change and get better. That wasn’t the case. I felt as though I had to be extra cautious when I’d be at a party because men would attempt to hit on me by uttering the phrase, “I’ve never been with an Asian before”. The first time someone said this to me I was just a young naive freshman and those words scared me. I am 5’ 1” and the man that first said this had to be double in my size. I didn’t know what to do besides panic and run out of the party. This phrase would then be repeated a few more times, giving me less hope in men and feeling more uncomfortable to be at a party.
When COVID-19 hit, I had a feeling things could get worse since the first case was in Wuhan, China. Once people referred COVID-19 as the “China Virus” it was a complete dig at the Chinese people not just in China but around the world. There was a 145% spike in hate crimes against Asian Americans from 2019 to 2020 reported by The Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University while overall hate crimes were down by 6%. This to me speaks volumes. I personally did not feel safe. I would go to the store and get the strangest looks. It made me feel so uncomfortable just going out in public. When I’d talk to my close (mostly all white) family and friends about this they didn’t understand. I believe this stems from Asian Americans not really talked about because we are considered the “model minority”. Some of the reason Asians are considered the model minority are:
How some Eastern Asians are predominately very pale almost able to pass as “white”
Socioeconomically which means the assumption that Asians are “better off” than other minorities
The media’s lack of coverage due to xenophobia
Ever since summer 2020, as Black Lives Matter has become such an important topic. I was inspired to learn more about all the races that make up our world. I would talk to my friends of other races and hear their thoughts and stories. I’d read articles about what was going on at the U.S. and Mexico border or learn how Middle Eastern countries were handling COVID-19.
When I heard about what happened in Atlanta, Georgia Tuesday, March 16 it hurt. It hurt that nine people died. It hurt that the killer had access to an assault weapon, and used it on the eight victims- six of whom were Asian women. It especially hurt when it wasn’t first classified as a racial hate crime, even though that’s exactly what it was. The murderer claims it happened as a result of his sex addiction, even though there is no evidence that any of the victims were engaged in the commercial sex trade! HE targeted these spas, these women, because of HIS sexual addiction and HIS issue with HIS sexual desires of Asian women. This is a perfect example of the fetishization of Asian women. We need to start calling this crime for what it was, racial and gender based violence.
This tragic event made me realize I needed to step up in my own community. I began researching different organizations that supported the Asian American community and reading stories of fellow Asian Americans that have experienced racism. I read Kane Ma’s LinkedIn post and realized it was time to share my story. I write this blog post today not to feel pity but to empower others to share their stories and speak up when there is racism.
To learn more on how you can support Asian American communities, click the link(s) below:
