Asian Americans Push Back against Asian Privilege

By Louis Chan
AsAmNews National Correspondent
 
In the world of some, Asians don’t face racism. Asians haven’t had to struggle. Asians are living in a bed of roses.
 
It’s nothing new. The concept of the model minority has been propagated in the mass media since the 60’s.
 
AsAmNews contributor Alice Wong did a wonderful interview with professor Ellen Wu about the model minority myth and Wu’s book, The Color of Success, Asian Americans and the Origin of the Model Minority Myth.
 
Unfortunately, stubborn ideas die hard.
 
The hashtag #AsianPrivilege has been trending on Twitter.It was started by those who want the model minority myth to continue.
 

Asian earn more money, less arrests, lower sentences, lower prison population, perceived as less threatening, are safer #asianprivilege

— Hwite Is Purity ? (@niveahandcreme) May 22, 2017

Why are we mad at white males when asians make more than whites.. #AsianPrivilege #GenderPayGap

— Noah (@noahv575) April 5, 2017

 
Some of these tweets were blatantly racist.
 

They’re doing a great job of wiping out African-Elephants as well. These are a people that’ll kill and eat ANYTHING! #AsianPrivilege

— Ronn G. (@Ronn_Anthony_08) April 30, 2017

 
Asian Americans, however, are pushing back and have started to take over the hashtag with their own take.

It sure was quite the #AsianPrivilege to have Emma Stone play one of us in Aloha

— Mak from O’ahu (@MakDPostmodern) June 13, 2017

#asianprivilege does not exist, if you believe that Asians are the “model minority”, you clearly have not been exposed to discrimination.

— Miracle•琪姬•기적 (@miracl3bui) June 13, 2017

Oh! Wait was #Asianprivilege the numerous times I’ve heard people make fun of my moms accent when they thought she couldn’t hear them?

— Surena Marie (@SurenaXMarie) June 13, 2017

 
What are your stories of Asian privilege? We’d love to read them. Share them with us below.
 
RELATED: White People Refuse to Acknowledge Racism
 
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