Students at the University of Washington are debunking the the “Model Minority” myth according to the Daily UW.
The “Model Minority” myth is a stereotype that represents Asian Americans as the “successful” minority group in America. It includes assumptions that all Asian Americans are good at math, attend top universities and don’t need social services and resources to get there.
At panels this week, members of UW’s Asian American community came together to discuss the Model Minority stereotype and its misconceptions.
One issue the stereotype raises is the pressure it places on Asian American students who internalize it and feel the need to meet its expectations. According to Ammara Kimso, a representative from South Seattle Community college, “it can turn into a mental health issue … because they can’t fulfill what’s expected of them.”
To read about the origins of the Model Minority myth, go to the Daily UW.
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